Controlling groups of electrical loads

ABSTRACT

A load control system may include control devices for controlling electrical loads. The control devices may include load control devices, such as a lighting device for controlling an amount of power provided to a lighting load, and controller devices, such as a remote control device configured to transmit digital messages for controlling the lighting load via the load control device. The remote control device may communicate with the lighting devices via a hub device. The remote control device may detect a user interface event, such as a button press or a rotation of the remote control device. The remote control device or the hub device may determine whether to transmit digital messages as unicast messages or multicast messages based on the type of user interface event detected. The remote control device, or other master device, may synchronize and/or toggle an on/off state of lighting devices in the load control system.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/789,933, filed on Oct. 20, 2017, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62/411,286, filed Oct. 21, 2016, and62/438,003, filed Dec. 22, 2016, the entire disclosures of which areincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

A user environment, such as a residence or an office building, forexample, may be configured using various types of load control systems.A lighting control system may be used to control the lighting loads in auser environment. The lighting control system may include variousdevices, such as input devices and load control devices, capable ofcommunicating via radio frequency (RF) communications. For example, aremote control device may be used to communicate with lighting devices(e.g., light bulbs) in the load control system to control the lightinglevel of the lighting devices. The devices may communicate in a networkusing RF communications, such as ZIGBEE® communications; BLUETOOTH®communications; or proprietary communications, such as CLEAR CONNECT™.

Lighting devices in the user environment may be collectively controlledby a common lighting control device that is capable of dimming the groupof lighting devices or toggling the group of lighting devices on andoff. One or more of the lighting devices in the system may beindependently controlled by another lighting control device. Thisindependent control of a subset of the lighting devices may cause someof the lighting devices to become out of sync with the rest of thegroup, such that some of the lighting control devices are turned “on,”while others are turned “off.” When the common lighting control deviceis actuated by a user to toggle the entire group of lighting devices(e.g., from on to off, or vice versa), the lighting devices that are outof sync with the others will remain out of sync. Each of the lightingdevices will receive a multicast message that causes the lighting deviceto toggle from on to off or vice versa, such that the lighting devicesthat are in an “on” will be turned “off” and the lighting devices thatare “off” will be turned “on.” To get the lighting devices in the entiregroup back in sync, the user may be required to independently controlthe lighting devices that are out of sync.

The control device that is used for controlling the lighting devices mayalso be capable of controlling other types of electrical loads and/orload control devices in the user environment. Different types ofelectrical loads and load control devices may be controlled verydifferently. For example, lighting devices may be dimmed, HVAC systemsmay control temperature, motorized window treatments may be raised andlowered, etc. As many different types of electrical loads and/or loadcontrol devices may be controlled in the user environment, the status ofthese electrical loads and/or load control devices may be helpful forperforming user control within the user environment. The status of theelectrical loads and/or load control devices may not be easilydetermined from a single status indicator that is universal for thevarious types of electrical loads. Thus, a default indicator may causeconfusion to the end user as to the actual status of an electrical loador load control device being controlled thereby.

SUMMARY

As described herein, a remote control device may transmit messages tocontrol load control devices for controlling electrical loads (e.g.,lighting devices, such as controllable lamps), and display feedback(e.g., visual feedback) that is dependent upon information regarding theload control devices to which the remote control device is associated.The remote control device may be part of a load control system that mayinclude load control devices for directly controlling electrical powersupplied to electrical loads, and controllers configured to transmitcommands or signals to the load control devices to cause the loadcontrol devices to control the electrical loads. The load controldevices may include a lighting device for controlling an amount of powerprovided to a lighting load, an audio device for controlling a speaker,a thermostat device for controlling a setpoint temperature of a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a motorized windowtreatment, or other similar load control devices which controlelectrical loads in a system. The controllers may include remote controldevices or sensor devices, such as occupancy sensors, daylight sensors,etc. The remote control device may be a retrofit remote control devicecapable of covering a switch installed on the wall-mounted load controldevice. The remote control device may communicate with the load controldevice via an intermediary device, such as a hub device. The hub devicemay communicate with the load control device and the remote controldevice via the same or different protocols.

The remote control device may comprise a status indicator (e.g., avisual indicator) that may be illuminated to provide the visualfeedback. The status indicator may be a circular or linear light bar.The entire status indicator may be illuminated to provide the visualfeedback (e.g., to a full intensity or an intensity between the fullintensity and off). Different segments of the visual indicator may beilluminated to different intensities and/or colors to provide the visualfeedback.

The remote control device may provide simple feedback and advancedfeedback. The simple feedback may be provided in response to anactuation of a button or other user interface event at the remotecontrol device to provide an indication that the input was received andthe remote control device is responding to the received input (e.g.,wireless transmitting a message to the load control devices). Theadvanced feedback may indicate a status (e.g., an on/off state, and/oran intensity level) of one or more of the load control devices. Forexample, a portion of the status indicator may be illuminated to providean indication of the present intensity of one or more lighting devices.The remote control device may be configured to provide different typesof visual feedback (e.g., different types of simple and advancedfeedback) by, for example, adjusting the intensity and/or color of theillumination, changing the portions of the status indicator that areilluminated, and providing different animations.

The remote control device may decide on the type of visual feedback toprovide based on information regarding the load control devices to whichthe remote control device is associated. The remote control device maybe configured to decide to provide simple or advanced feedback based onthe information regarding the load control devices. The remote controldevice may be configured to decide a type of simple or advanced feedbackbased on the information regarding the load control devices (e.g.,different intensities, colors, illuminated segments, animations, etc.).The remote control device may be configured to obtain the informationregarding the load control devices during configuration when the remotecontrol device is associated with the load control devices and/ordynamically during normal operation as the remote control device iscommunicating with the load control devices (e.g., in response to anactuation of a button of the remote control device).

The remote control device may be configured to decide on the type ofvisual feedback to provide based on the type of load control devicesassociated to the remote control devices (e.g., lighting devices foradjusting lighting intensity level, audio devices for adjusting playbackvolume, temperature control devices, motorized window treatments, etc.).The remote control device may be configured to decide on the type ofvisual feedback to provide based on whether a master device (e.g., a hubdevice) is associated with the remote control device or not. The remotecontrol device may be configured to decide on the type of visualfeedback to provide based on the number of load control devices that areassociated with the remote control device. The remote control device maybe configured to decide on the type of visual feedback to provide basedon the status of the load control devices (e.g., whether the loadcontrol devices are in sync or out of sync). The remote control devicemay be configured to decide on the type of visual feedback to providebased on the type of control that the remote control device is using tocontrol the load control devices (e.g., absolute or relative control).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict examples of a load control system that mayimplement one or more message types for communicating digital messages.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are system flow diagrams depicting example message flowsfor communicating digital messages between a remote control device andlighting devices in a load control system.

FIGS. 3A-3D are system flow diagrams depicting example message flows forquerying for a current status of lighting devices and generatinglighting control commands in response to the identified status.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are system flow diagrams depicting example message flowsfor communicating digital messages in a load control system thatimplements a hub device.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart depicting an example method for synchronizingand/or toggling lighting devices in a load control system.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart depicting an example method for synchronizingand/or toggling lighting devices in a load control system.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an example method for synchronizingand/or toggling lighting devices in a load control system.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an example method for synchronizingand/or toggling lighting devices in a load control system.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting an example method for synchronizingand/or toggling lighting devices in a load control system

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting an example method for toggling lightingdevices and/or sending state update messages in a load control system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting an example method for synchronizingand/or toggling lighting devices in a load control system.

FIGS. 11A-11D are front views of a remote control device with a statusindicator (e.g., a visual indicator) that may be illuminated to providefeedback (e.g., visual feedback).

FIG. 12 is a graph that shows an example plot of the intensity of thestatus indicator in order to generate an animation.

FIGS. 13-20 are front views of a remote control device with a statusindicator that may be illuminated to provide feedback.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart depicting an example method for determining thetype of feedback to be provided on a status indicator of a remotecontrol device.

FIG. 22 is another flowchart depicting an example method for determiningthe type of feedback to be provided on a status indicator of a remotecontrol device.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of an example load control device.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of an example controller device.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of an example network device.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of an example hub device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict examples of a load control system 100 that mayimplement one or more message types for communicating messages (e.g.,digital messages). As shown in FIG. 1A, the load control system 100 mayinclude various control devices, such as controller devices and/or loadcontrol devices. The controller device may send digital messages to theload control device to cause the load control device to control anamount of power provided from an AC power source 102 to an electric loadin the load control system 100.

Load control devices may control the electrical loads within a roomand/or a building. Each load control device may be capable of directlycontrolling the amount of power provided to an electrical load inresponse to communication from a controller device. Example load controldevices may include lighting devices 112 a, 112 b and/or lighting device122 (e.g., a load control device in light bulbs, ballasts, LED drivers,etc.). The lighting devices may be a lighting load itself, or a devicethat includes the lighting load and a lighting load controller.

A controller device may indirectly control the amount of power providedto an electrical load by transmitting digital messages to the loadcontrol device. The digital messages may include control instructions(e.g., load control instructions) or another indication that causes theload control device to determine load control instructions forcontrolling an electrical load. Example controller devices may include aremote control device 116. The controller devices may include a wired orwireless device.

Control devices (e.g., controller devices and/or load control devices)may communicate with each other and/or other devices via wired and/orwireless communications. The control devices may communicate usingdigital messages in a wireless signal. For example, the control devicesmay communicate via radio frequency (RF) signals 106. The RF signals 106may be communicated via an RF communication protocol (e.g., ZIGBEE®;near field communication (NFC); BLUETOOTH®; WI-FI®; a proprietarycommunication protocol, such as CLEAR CONNECT™, etc.). The digitalmessages may be transmitted as multicast messages and/or unicastmessages via the RF signals 106.

The lighting device 122 may be installed in a plug-in device 124, suchas a lamp (e.g., a table lamp). The plug-in device 124 may be coupled inseries electrical connection between the AC power source 102 and thelighting device 122. The plug-in device 124 may be plugged into anelectrical receptacle 126 that is powered by the AC power source 102.The plug-in device 124 may be plugged into the electrical receptacle 126or a separate plug-in load control device that is plugged into theelectrical receptacle 126 and configured to control the power deliveredto the lighting device 122.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be controlled by a wall-mountedload control device 110. Though the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b areshown in FIG. 1A, any number of lighting devices may be implemented thatmay be supported by the wall-mounted load control device 110 and/or theAC power source 102. The wall-mounted load control device 110 may becoupled in series electrical connection between the AC power source 102and lighting devices 112 a, 112 b. The wall-mounted load control device110 may include a mechanical switch 111 (e.g., a previously-installedlight switch) that may be opened and closed in response to actuations ofa toggle actuator (not shown) for controlling the power delivered fromthe AC power source 102 to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b (e.g., forturning on and off the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b). The lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b may be installed in respective ceiling mounteddownlight fixtures 114 a, 114 b or other lighting fixture mounted toanother surface. The wall-mounted load control device 110 may be adaptedto be wall-mounted in a standard electrical wallbox.

The remote control device 116 may be configured to transmit messages viathe RF signals 106 for controlling the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b.The remote control device 116 may be a retrofit remote control devicemounted over the toggle actuator of the mechanical switch 111. Theremote control device 116 may be configured to maintain the toggleactuator of the mechanical switch 111 in the “on” position (e.g., bycovering the switch when in the “on” position) to maintain the flow ofpower from the AC power source 102 to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b.The remote control device 116 may comprise an actuation portion 117 thatmay be actuated (e.g., pushed in towards the mechanical switch 111) anda rotation portion 118 (e.g., a rotary knob) that may be rotated (e.g.,with respect to the mechanical switch 111). Though a rotation portion118 is disclosed, the remote control device 116 may include another typeof intensity adjustment actuator, such as a linear slider, an elongatedtouch sensitive actuator, a rocker switch, separate raise/loweractuators, or another form of intensity adjustment actuator. The remotecontrol device 116 may be battery-powered. In addition, the remotecontrol device 116 may be mounted to another structure (e.g., other thanthe toggle actuator of the mechanical switch 111), such a as wall, maybe attached to a pedestal to be located on a horizontal surface, or maybe handheld. Further, the wall-mounted load control device 110 maycomprise a wall-mounted remote control device that replaces thepreviously-installed mechanical switch 111 and may be configured tooperate as the remote control device 116 to control the lighting devices112 a, 112 b (e.g., by transmitting messages via the RF signals 106).Such a wall-mounted remote control device may derive power from the ACpower source 102.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be turned on or off, or theintensity level may be adjusted, in response to the remote controldevice 116 (e.g., in response to actuations of the actuation portion 117of the remote control device 116). For example, the lighting devices 112a, 112 b may be toggled on or off by a toggle event identified at theremote control device 116. The toggle event may be a user eventidentified at the remote control device 116. The actuation portion 117of the remote control device 116 may be actuated to toggle the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b on or off. The rotation portion 118 of the remotecontrol device 116 may be rotated to adjust the intensities of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b. The toggle event may be identified whenthe rotation portion 118 of the remote control device 116 is turned by apredefined amount or for a predefined time, and/or the actuation portion117 of the remote control device 116 is actuated. The lighting level ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be increased or decreased byrotating the rotation portion 118 of the remote control device 116 inone direction or another, respectively. Though shown as comprising arotary knob in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the remote control device 116 maycomprise a paddle switch that may be actuated by a user, a linearcontrol on which a user may swipe a finger, a raise/lower slider, arocker switch, or another type of control capable of receiving userinterface events as commands.

The remote control device 116 may provide feedback (e.g., visualfeedback) to a user of the remote control device 116 on a visualindicator, such as a status indicator 119. The status indicator 119 mayprovide different types of feedback. The feedback may include feedbackindicating actuations by a user or other user interface event, a statusof electrical loads being controlled by the remote control device 116,and/or a status of the load control devices being controlled by theremote control device 116. The feedback may be displayed in response touser interface event and/or in response to messages received thatindicate the status of load control devices and/or electrical loads.

The status indicator 119 may include one or more light emitting diodes(LEDs) for providing feedback. The status indicator 119 may be a lightbar included around the entire perimeter of the remote control device116, or a portion thereof. The status indicator 119 may also, oralternatively be a light bar in a line on the remote control device 116,such as when the remote control device is a paddle switch or a linearcontrol, for example.

Example types of feedback may include illumination of the entire statusindicator 119 (e.g., to different levels), blinking or pulsing one ormore LEDs in the status indicator 119, changing the color of one or moreLEDs on the status indicator 119, and/or illuminating different sectionsof one or more LEDs in the status indicator 119 to provide animation(e.g., clockwise and counter clockwise animation for raising andlowering a lighting level). The feedback on the status indicator 119 mayindicate a status of an electrical load or a load control device, suchas a lighting intensity level for lights (e.g., lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122), a volume level for audio devices, a shade level for amotorized window treatment, and/or a speed for fans or other similartypes of devices that operate at different speeds. The feedback on thestatus indicator 119 may change based on the selection of differentpresets. For example, a different LED or LEDs may be illuminated on thestatus indicator 119 to identify different presets (e.g., presetintensity levels for the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or otherpreset configurations for load control devices).

The status indicator 119, or a portion thereof, may be turned on or offto indicate the status of one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122. For example, the status indicator 119 may be turned off toindicate that the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in an offstate. The entire status indicator, or portion thereof, may be turned onto indicate that the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in the onstate. The portion of the status indicator 119 that is turned on mayindicate the intensity level of one or more of the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122. For example, when the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122are at a 50% intensity level, 50% of the status indicator 119 may beturned on to reflect the intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122.

The remote control device 116 may provide simple feedback or advancedfeedback to the user on the status indicator 119. The remote controldevice 116 may decide between multiple types of advanced feedback orbetween multiple types of simple feedback. For example, this decisionmay be based on the type of load control device associated with theremote control device 116 (e.g., lights, HVAC, motorized windowtreatment, audio device, fan, etc.). The remote control device 116 maybe configured to provide different type of visual feedback (e.g.,different types of simple and advanced feedback) by adjusting theintensity and/or color of the illumination, changing the portions of thestatus indicator 119 that are illuminated, and providing differentanimations.

Simple feedback may be provided in response to actuations or other userinterface event received at the remote control device 116. For example,simple feedback may indicate to a user that the remote control device116 is operating correctly (e.g., in response to an actuation of thetoggle button or a rotation). The simple feedback may illuminate orblink one or more LEDs in response to a button press. The simplefeedback may indicate that the remote control device 116, or a buttonthereon, was actuated. The simple feedback may indicate that a commandhas been selected in response to user interface event. For example, thesimple feedback may provide a blinking sequence in response toactuations of a toggle event. The simple feedback may provide a solidillumination of the status indicator 119 at different lighting levels inresponse to clockwise and counterclockwise rotations of the remotecontrol device 116 (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 11C-11D). As the simplefeedback may provide information that does not indicate the status of aload control device, the status indicator 119 may operate more as avisual indicator of other types of status or may not indicate a statusof a device at all.

The remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback based onknowledge of the state of a load control device, such that the feedbackmay provide the state information to the user. For example, rotations ofthe remote control device 116 can cause the visual feedback to track thelight level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The light levelmay be stored in the remote control device 116 (e.g., if there is oneremote control device assigned to lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 andlighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be controlled as a group from thededicated remote control device 116) or may be received by remotecontrol device 116 in response to query messages transmitted from theremote control device 116. For advanced feedback in response to a userinterface event, such as a toggle event, the lights on the statusindicator 119 may increase from off to an on light level when turning onthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, and decrease from the on lightlevel to off when turning off the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

The decision on type of feedback provided by the status indicator 119may be made at the time of association of the remote control device 116and stored at the remote control device 116. The decision on the type offeedback provided by the status indicator 119 may be made dynamically.For example, the type of feedback displayed via the status indicator 119may change depending on the information determined in response to aquery message sent to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 or otherload control devices. The query message may be sent in response to anactuation on the remote control device 116 and/or in response to asensing circuit (e.g., an occupancy sensing circuit and/or a proximitysensing circuit) sensing an occupant near the remote control device 116.The remote control device 116 may wake up in response to an actuationand ping associated lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 or other loadcontrol devices to determine a status of the electrical loads controlledby the associated load control devices.

The remote control device 116 may operate to provide different types offeedback (e.g., advanced feedback or simple feedback) based oninformation about the associated devices. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may provide different feedback on the statusindicator 119 when associated with a master device than when notassociated with the master device. The master device may be one of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 or another load control device. Theremote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback on the statusindicator 119 when associated with a master device that is capable ofproviding the status of load control devices to the remote controldevice 116. The remote control device 116 may provide simple feedback onthe status indicator 119 when not associated with a master device.

The remote control device 116 may provide different feedback on thestatus indicator 119 based on the number of load control devicesassociated with the remote control device 116. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may provide different feedback on the statusindicator 119 when a single lighting device 112 a is associated with theremote control device 116 than when multiple lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 are associated with the remote control device 116. When a singleload control device is associated with the remote control device 116,the remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback on thestatus indicator 119. When multiple load control devices are associatedwith the remote control device 116, the remote control device 116 mayprovide simple feedback on the status indicator 119. Simple feedback maybe provided when the remote control device 116 is associated withmultiple load control devices, as the load control devices may bedifferent types of devices may be currently controlled differently, maybe at different levels (e.g., different intensity levels), and/or may beat levels that are unknown to the remote control device 116.

The remote control device 116 may provide different feedback on thestatus indicator based on whether the loads of the associated loadcontrol devices are in sync. When the loads are in sync (e.g., the samestatus is received for the associated load control devices), the remotecontrol device 116 may provide advanced feedback on the status indicator119. For example, in response to a toggle event or a rotation (e.g., apredefined distance or time in a direction) for controlling an intensitylevel of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the remote controldevice 116 may awaken from a sleep state and query the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 for their current state. The remote control device 116may receive the current state (e.g., on/off state, lighting level,color, etc.) of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and determinethat the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in the same state. Thestatus indicator 119 on the remote control device 116 may indicate thestatus of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that is received inresponse to the query message. While the remote control device 116remains awake, the status indicator 119 may reflect the updated statusof one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 as the statuschanges. After a predefined period of time, the remote control device116 may return to the sleep state. The status indicator 119 may beturned off in the sleep state to conserve battery power.

When the loads are out of sync (e.g., a different status is received forthe associated load control devices), the remote control device 116 mayprovide simple feedback or advanced feedback on the status indicator119. For example, in response to a toggle event or a rotation (e.g., apredefined distance or time in a direction) for controlling an intensitylevel of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the remote controldevice 116 may awaken from a sleep state and query the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 for their current state. The status indicator 119 onthe remote control device 116 may indicate the status of one or more ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that is received in response tothe query message. When the status of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 are in sync, the remote control device 116 may provide advancedfeedback such that the status indicator 119 on the remote control device116 indicate the intensity level at which all of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 are operating.

When the status of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out ofsync, the remote control device 116 may provide simple feedback on thestatus indicator 119. For example, the status indicator 119 on theremote control device 116 may reflect the current state of the lightingdevice 112 a, 112 b, 122 that is the first to respond to the querymessage, or the state of a particular lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122in the group. For example, in response to the query message for thecurrent state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the lightingdevice 112 a may respond first that it is at a 10% intensity level. Thestatus indicator 119 on the remote control device 116 may reflect thecurrent state of the lighting device 112 a on the status indicator 119.The group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be the lightingdevices that have been associated in memory with the remote controldevice 116, or otherwise stored in memory with a group identifier forbeing controlled together.

When the status of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out ofsync, the status indicator 119 may provide advanced feedback thatrepresents the status of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. For example, status indicator 119 may indicate the averageintensity of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 or thestate of the majority of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Thestatus indicator 119 may provide advanced feedback to indicate the stateof the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 by lighting theentire status indicator 119 when a majority of the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 are in the on state, turning the status indicator 119 offwhen the majority of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in theoff state, lighting a portion of the status indicator 119 thatidentifies an average lighting level of the group of lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122, increasing an intensity of the status indicator 119to a percentage that reflects the intensity of the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122, etc.

When the status of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out ofsync, the status indicator 119 may provide simple or advanced feedbackthat indicates that the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out ofsync. For example, the remote control device 116 may provide simplefeedback by making the entire status indicator 119 lit, unlit, or flashto indicate that the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out of sync.The remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback by blinkingor pulsing the status indicator 119 while displaying the averageintensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, byperiodically transitioning the status indicator 119 between theintensity levels of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, or byperiodically transitioning the status indicator 119 between maximum andminimum intensity levels of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Whenthe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out of sync, nofeedback may be provided, a constant feedback indication may beprovided, or feedback may be provided (e.g., flashing LEDs) thatindicates that the group of lighting devices are out of sync.

The remote control device 116 may be configured to display feedback(e.g., simple feedback) in response to determining that one or more ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are “missing.” For example, theremote control device may be configured to blink the entire statusindicator 119 (e.g., in a particular color, such as red) and/or providean animation to indicate that one or more of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 are missing. The remote control device 116 may be configuredto determine that one of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 ismissing, for example, in response to not receiving a response to a querymessage transmitted to that particular lighting device. For example, oneof the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be “missing” if thatlighting device has been removed from its fixture or lamp (e.g.,unscrewed), is unplugged, is faulty, the corresponding light switch isturned off (e.g., light switch in a series is turned off, while othersare on), and/or has reached end of life.

The feedback provided by the status indicator 119 may be automaticallyor dynamically updated according to different feedback modes duringoperation of the remote control device 116. For example, the statusindicator 119 may provide different types of feedback based on the stateof the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or the number of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that are associated with the remote controldevice 116. The remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedbackon the status indicator 119 that indicates an intensity level of one ormore lighting devices as a portion of the entire status indicator 119.The remote control device 116 may provide simple feedback thatilluminates the entire status indicator 119. The simple feedback may beprovided to illuminate the entire status indicator 119 to indicate oneor more lighting devices in a group are in an on state, turn off thestatus indicator 119 to indicate that one or more lighting devices inthe group are in the off state, and/or illuminate the status indicator119 to different levels when raising or lowering intensity of one ormore lighting devices in the group. The operation of different feedbackmodes may allow for more granular feedback of an individual load controldevice with which the remote control device 116 is associated, whilepreventing confusion that may be caused by providing feedback of asingle device when the remote control device 116 is associated withmultiple load control devices that are out of sync.

The remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback if the loadcontrol devices (e.g., lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122) with whichthe remote control device 116 is associated are not associated withother remote control devices. The remote control device 116 may providesimple feedback if one or more of the load control devices (e.g.,lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122) with which the remote control device116 is associated are also associated with other remote control devices.This may allow for more granular feedback of a group of individual loadcontrol devices with which the remote control device 116 is associated,while preventing continuous updating or confusion when other remotecontrol devices are controlling the multiple load control devices (e.g.,lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122).

The remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages via the RFsignals 106 to control the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Theremote control device 116 may be configured to adjust the intensities ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 using absolute control in orderto control the intensities of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 toan absolute level (e.g., a specific level). For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may transmit digital messages including amove-to-level command (e.g., a go-to-level or go-to command) thatidentifies a lighting level to which the lighting devices may change.The move-to-level command may include the amount of time over which thelighting level may be changed at the lighting devices. The move-to-levelcommand may indicate an “on” event or an “off” event to turn thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 on or off, respectively. For example,the “on” event may be indicated with a 100% lighting level, or anotherpreset lighting level. The “off” event may be indicated with a 0%intensity level. The lighting level for the “on” event and/or the “off”event may also, or alternatively, be stored at the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 and the lighting devices may change to the lighting levelupon receiving an indication of the occurrence of the “on” event or“off” event at the remote control device 116. The digital messages mayindicate an “on” event when the remote control device 116 is rotated apredefined distance or time in one direction. As an example, the remotecontrol device 116 may transmit digital messages when the remote controldevice 116 is identified as being rotated for 100 milliseconds (ms). Thedigital messages may indicate an “off” event when the remote controldevice 116 is rotated a predefined distance or time in the oppositedirection. The digital messages may indicate an “on” event or an “off”event when the remote control device 116 is pressed (e.g., when a buttonon the face of the remote control device is pressed or the remotecontrol device 116 is pressed in). The “on” event or “off” event may beindicated in a digital message with a toggle command that indicates forthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to toggle from “on” to “off,” orvice versa.

In response to a user interface event (e.g., actuation, rotation, fingerswipe, etc.) or a proximity sensing event (e.g., a sensing circuitsensing an occupant near the remote control device 116) at the remotecontrol device 116, the remote control device 116 may determine astarting point (e.g., a dynamic starting point) from which the lightinglevel of one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may becontrolled. Each rotation of the rotation portion 118 may cause theremote control device 116 to determine the dynamic starting point fromwhich control may be performed. In response to the user interface eventand/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., a sensing circuit sensing anoccupant near the remote control device 116), the remote control device116 may query the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 for a currentstatus (e.g., after awakening from sleep mode). The current status ofone or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be used to setthe dynamic starting point from which the remote control device 116 mayperform control. For example, the remote control device 116 may set thedynamic starting point of the rotation portion 118 to the currentintensity level (e.g., on, off, 10%, 20%, etc.) of the first of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to respond to the query, or apredefined lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122.

In another example, the remote control device 116 may set the dynamicstarting point of the rotation portion 118 based on the intensity levelof multiple lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote controldevice 116 may set the dynamic starting point of the rotation portion118 to an average intensity level (e.g., on, off, 10%, 20%, etc.) of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, or a common lighting intensity(e.g., on, off, 10%, 20%, etc.) of a majority of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122, for example. The remote control device 116 may setthe dynamic starting point of the rotation portion 118 to a maximumlevel of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when the rotationportion 118 is being rotated clockwise to raise the intensity level ofthe lighting devices, or a minimum level of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 when the rotation portion 118 is being rotatedcounterclockwise to lower the intensity level of the lighting devices,for example. The status indicator 119 may be illuminated as feedback toreflect the dynamic starting point to the user. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may illuminate a portion of the status indicator 119that reflects the lighting intensity that is set as the dynamic startingpoint.

The remote control device 116 may calculate an increase or decrease inintensity level from the dynamic starting point based on the userinterface event. For example, the remote control device 116 maycalculate an increase or decrease in intensity level based on thedistance or amount of time the rotation portion 118 is turned. Therotation from the point of the initial interaction by the user with therotation portion 118 may be used to identify the increase or decrease inintensity level from the dynamic starting point. When the remote controldevice 116 includes a linear control, the remote control device 116 maycalculate an increase or decrease in intensity level based on thedistance or amount of time the user swipes a finger up or down on thelinear control. The user's finger swipe from the point of the initialinteraction by the user with the linear control may be used to identifythe increase or decrease in intensity level from the dynamic startingpoint.

The updated intensity level may be calculated from the user's initialinteraction and stored at the remote control device 116. The updatedintensity level may be included in a move-to-level command that istransmitted from the remote control device 116 to the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 when the remote control device 116 is using absolutecontrol.

The visual feedback displayed by the status indicator 119 may beprovided in or derived from the information in the move-to-level commandwhen the remote control device 116 is using absolute control. Forexample, the remote control device 116 may reflect the intensity leveltransmitted in the move-to-level command in the status indicator 119.

The remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages configuredto increase the lighting level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122when the rotation portion 118 is rotated in a direction (e.g.,clockwise). As previously mentioned, the remote control device 116 maybe configured to adjust the intensities of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 to an absolute level using absolute control. In addition, oralternatively, the remote control device 116 may be configured to adjustthe intensities of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 using relativecontrol to adjust the intensities of the light devices 112 a, 112 b, 122by a relative amount. For example, the remote control device 116 maytransmit digital messages configured to decrease the lighting level ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when the remote control device116 is rotated in the opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise). Thedigital messages may include a move-with-rate command, which may causethe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to change their respectiveintensity level by a predefined amount. The move-with-rate command mayinclude the amount of time over which the lighting level may be changedat the lighting devices. The move-with-rate command may cause thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to retain their relative orproportional intensity levels, and/or difference in respective intensitylevels. The remote control device 116 may send digital messages toincrease or decrease the lighting level by a predefined amount whenrotated a predefined distance or for a predefined time. The amount ofthe increase or decrease may be indicated in the digital messages or maybe predefined at the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

The status indicator 119 may be controlled differently when the remotecontrol device 116 is operating using relative control and when theremote control device 116 is operating using absolute control. Theremote control device 116 may provide advanced feedback on the statusindicator 119 when performing absolute control, as each of the loadcontrol devices (e.g., lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122) may be insync. The remote control device 116 may provide a simple feedback whenperforming relative control, as each of the load control devices (e.g.,lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122) may be out of sync. When usingrelative control, the status indicator 119 may not be illuminated toprovide feedback of the intensity of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. The status indicator 119 may be illuminated to differentintensities when the remote control device 116 is raising and loweringthe intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Forexample, the status indicator 119 may be illuminated to a firstintensity (e.g., 66%) when raising the intensity level of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and a second intensity (e.g., 33%) whenlowering the intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.Alternatively, or additionally, the status indicator 119 may beilluminated to match the maximum intensity or the minimum intensity ofthe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

The mode of control (e.g., relative control or absolute control) may bedynamically updated at the remote control device 116. For example, theremote control device 116 may change the mode of control depending uponthe number of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b 122 that are associatedwith the remote control device 116. The remote control device 116 mayuse the relative control when associated with a single lighting device.The remote control device 116 may use the absolute control whenassociated with multiple lighting devices. The mode of control may also,or alternatively, be updated based on whether the lighting devices 112a, 112 b 122 are in sync or out of sync. The remote control device 116may use the absolute control when the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b 122are in sync. The remote control device 116 use the relative control whenthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b 122 are out of sync.

The visual feedback provided by the status indicator 119 by bedynamically updated depending on the mode of control being used at theremote control device 116. The remote control device 116 may providefeedback according to the simple feedback mode when using relativecontrol and according to the advanced feedback mode when using absolutecontrol. For example, the advanced feedback mode may provide feedbackthat indicates an intensity level of one or more lighting devices as aportion of the entire status indicator 119. The simple feedback mode mayprovide simple feedback that illuminates the entire status indicator 119to different levels when raising or lowering intensity.

The digital messages transmitted via the RF signals 106 may be multicastmessages. For example, the digital messages including the move-to-levelcommand may be transmitted as multicast messages. The multicast messagesmay include a group identifier for controlling the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 that are a part of the multicast group. The lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be a part of the multicast group when theyare associated with the group identifier (e.g., by having the groupidentifier stored thereon) for recognizing multicast messagestransmitted to the group. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 thatare associated with the group identifier may recognize the multicastmessages and control the corresponding lighting load according to thecommand in the multicast messages. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may forward the multicast messages with the group identifier foridentification and load control by other lighting devices associatedwith the group identifier.

The group may be formed at commissioning or configuration of the loadcontrol system 100. The remote control device 116 may generate the groupidentifier and send the group identifier to the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 and/or a hub device when the remote control device 116 is inan association mode (e.g., entered upon selection of one or morebuttons). The devices that store the group identifier may be part of thegroup of devices that are associated with the remote control device 116and can respond to group messages.

The remote control device 116 may transmit the digital messages asmulticast messages and/or unicast messages via the RF signal 106. Forexample, the digital messages including the move-with-rate command orthe move-to-level command may be transmitted as unicast messages.Unicast messages may be sent from the remote control device 116 directlyor via hops to each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Theremote control device 116 may individually send a unicast message toeach of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 with which the remotecontrol device 116 is associated for performing load control. The remotecontrol device 116 may have the unique identifier of each of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 with which it is associated stored inmemory. The remote control device 116 may generate a separate unicastmessage for each lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 and address theunicast messages to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122independently. The unicast messages may also include the uniqueidentifier of the remote control device 116. The lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 may identify the unicast messages communicated to them byidentifying their own unique identifier and/or a correspondingidentifier of the remote that are stored in an association dataset. Thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may operate according to theinstructions (e.g., load control instructions) in the digital messagescomprising their own unique identifier and/or the unique identifier ofan associated device, such as the remote control device 116.

The multicast messages may be communicated more efficiently from theremote control device 116, as a single message may be transmitted tomultiple lighting devices, such as lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122,at once. The multicast messages may be more reliable, as the multicastmessages may be repeated by a receiving device, such that devices thatfail to receive the message due to interference or signal strength mayreceive the multicast message upon the message being repeated. The loadcontrol instructions in the multicast messages may also be received andimplemented by multiple lighting devices, such as lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122, at the same time, or at nearly the same time with a minordelay due to differences in latency, as a single message is beingreceived at a group of devices within the same wireless range. Thedifference in latency may be overcome by determining the latency at eachof the lighting devices and compensating for the difference in latencyat each lighting device by delaying the implementation of the loadcontrol instructions by the difference in latency. The load controlinstructions in the unicast messages may be received and implemented bymultiple lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 at different times, whichmay be caused by the difference in latency between the devices and/orthe time to process and transmit each message, as a different message isbeing transmitted to each device in a wireless range.

The remote control device 116 may transmit digital messages that includemove-with-rate commands (e.g., as unicast messages and/or multicastmessages) to increase or decrease the lighting intensity level of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 in predefined increments as the userturns the remote control device 116 a predefined distance or time in onedirection or another. The remote control device 116 may continue totransmit digital messages to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 asthe user continues to turn the remote control device 116. For example,the remote control device 116 may identify a rotation of a predefineddistance or for a predefined time and send one or more digital messagesto instruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to each increase byten percent (10%). The remote control device 116 may identify acontinued rotation of a predefined distance or time and send digitalmessages to instruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to increaseby ten percent (10%) again.

The remote control device 116 may also, or alternatively, send digitalmessages for a move-to-level command (e.g., “on” command, “off” command,toggle command, etc.) to turn on/off the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. The remote control device 116 may transmit one or more digitalmessages to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 when an on event oran off event are detected. For example, the remote control device 116may identify a rotation or actuation and send digital messages toinstruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to turn on/off. Theremote control device 116 may operate by sending a move-with-ratecommand after turning on. For example, the remote control device 116 mayidentify a rotation of a predefined distance or time after turning onand send digital messages to instruct the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 to increase/decrease by a predefined intensity (e.g., ten percent(10%)).

Embodiments described herein are not limited to remote control devices,but other controller devices may also be used in the same, or similar,manner. For example, embodiments may include wired control devicesand/or plug-in control devices that communicate digital messages asdescribed herein.

FIG. 1B shows an example load control system 100 having other devices.For example, the load control system 100 may include other controldevices, such as controller devices and/or load control devices. Theload control devices may be capable of controlling the amount of powerprovided to a respective electrical load based on digital messagesreceived from the controller devices, which may be input devices. Thedigital messages may include load control instructions or anotherindication that causes the load control device to determine load controlinstructions for controlling an electrical load.

Examples of load control devices may include a motorized windowtreatment 130 and/or the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, thoughother load control devices may be implemented. The controller devicesmay include a remote control device 150, an occupancy sensor 160, adaylight sensor 170, and/or a network device 190, though othercontroller devices may be implemented. The controller devices mayperform communications in a configuration similar to the remote controldevice 116 as described herein. The load control devices may performcommunications in a configuration similar to the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 as described herein.

The load control devices may receive digital messages via wirelesssignals, e.g., radio-frequency (RF) signals 106 (e.g., ZIGBEE®; NFC;BLUETOOTH®; WI-FI®; or a proprietary communication channel, such asCLEAR CONNECT™, etc.). The wireless signals may be transmitted by thecontroller devices. In response to the received digital messages, therespective lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be turned on and off,and/or the intensities of the respective lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may be increased or decreased. In response to the received digitalmessages, the motorized window treatment 130 may increase or decrease alevel of a covering material 134.

The battery-powered remote control device 150 may include one or moreactuators 152 (e.g., one or more of an on button, an off button, a raisebutton, a lower button, or a preset button). The battery-powered remotecontrol device 150 may transmit RF signals 106 in response to actuationsof one or more of the actuators 152. The battery-powered remote controldevice 150 may be handheld. The battery-powered remote control device150 may be mounted vertically to a wall, or supported on a pedestal tobe mounted on a tabletop. Examples of battery-powered remote controldevices are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat.No. 8,330,638, issued Dec. 11, 2012, entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWEREDREMOTE CONTROL HAVING MULTIPLE MOUNTING MEANS, and U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2012/0286940, published Nov. 15, 2012,entitled CONTROL DEVICE HAVING A NIGHTLIGHT, the entire disclosures ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference.

The remote control device 150 may be a wireless device capable ofcontrolling a load control device via wireless communications. Theremote control device 150 may be attached to the wall or detached fromthe wall. Examples of remote control devices are described in greaterdetail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,919, issued Sep. 28, 1993, entitledLIGHTING CONTROL DEVICE; U.S. Pat. No. 8,471,779, issued Jun. 25, 2013,entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWERED REMOTE CONTROL WITH LABEL SERVING ASANTENNA ELEMENT; and U.S. Patent Application Publication No.2014/0132475, published May 15, 2014, entitled WIRELESS LOAD CONTROLDEVICE, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

The occupancy sensor 160 may be configured to detect occupancy and/orvacancy conditions in the space in which the load control system 100 isinstalled. The occupancy sensor 160 may transmit digital messages toload control devices via the RF communication signals 106 in response todetecting the occupancy or vacancy conditions. The occupancy sensor 160may operate as a vacancy sensor, such that digital messages aretransmitted in response to detecting a vacancy condition (e.g., digitalmessages may not be transmitted in response to detecting an occupancycondition). The occupancy sensor 160 may enter an association mode andmay transmit association messages via the RF communication signals 106in response to actuation of a button on the occupancy sensor 160.Examples of RF load control systems having occupancy and vacancy sensorsare described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.8,009,042, issued Aug. 30, 2011, entitled RADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTINGCONTROL SYSTEM WITH OCCUPANCY SENSING; U.S. Pat. No. 8,199,010, issuedJun. 12, 2012, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONFIGURING A WIRELESSSENSOR; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,228,184, issued Jul. 24, 2012, entitledBATTERY-POWERED OCCUPANCY SENSOR, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference.

The daylight sensor 170 may be configured to measure a total lightintensity in the space in which the load control system 100 isinstalled. The daylight sensor 170 may transmit digital messagesincluding the measured light intensity via the RF communication signals106 for controlling load control devices in response to the measuredlight intensity. The daylight sensor 170 may enter an association modeand may transmit association messages via the RF communication signals106 in response to actuation of a button on the daylight sensor 170.Examples of RF load control systems having daylight sensors aredescribed in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No.8,410,706, issued Apr. 2, 2013, entitled METHOD OF CALIBRATING ADAYLIGHT SENSOR; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,451,116, issued May 28, 2013,entitled WIRELESS BATTERY-POWERED DAYLIGHT SENSOR, the entiredisclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The motorized window treatment 130 may be mounted in front of a windowfor controlling the amount of daylight entering the space in which theload control system 100 is installed. The motorized window treatment 130may include, for example, a cellular shade, a roller shade, a drapery, aRoman shade, a Venetian blind, a Persian blind, a pleated blind, atensioned roller shade systems, or other suitable motorized windowcovering. The motorized window treatment 130 may include a motor driveunit 132 for adjusting the position of a covering material 134 of themotorized window treatment 130 in order to control the amount ofdaylight entering the space. The motor drive unit 132 of the motorizedwindow treatment 130 may have an RF receiver and an antenna mounted onor extending from a motor drive unit 132 of the motorized windowtreatment 130. The motor drive unit 132 may respond to digital messagesto increase or decrease the level of the covering material 134. Themotor drive unit 132 of the motorized window treatment 130 may bebattery-powered or may receive power from an external direct-current(DC) power supply. Examples of battery-powered motorized windowtreatments are described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S.Pat. No. 8,950,461, issued Feb. 10, 2015, entitled MOTORIZED WINDOWTREATMENT, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,115,537, issued Aug. 25, 2015, entitledBATTERY-POWERED ROLLER SHADE SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of which arehereby incorporated by reference

Digital messages transmitted by the controller devices may include acommand and/or identifying information, such as a serial number (e.g., aunique identifier) associated with the transmitting controller device.Each of the controller devices may be associated with the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or the motorized window treatment 130during a configuration procedure of the load control system 100, suchthat the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or the motorized windowtreatment 130 may be responsive to digital messages transmitted by thecontroller devices via the RF signals 106. Examples of associatingwireless control devices during a configuration procedure are describedin greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2008/0111491, published May 15, 2008, entitledRADIO-FREQUENCY LIGHTING CONTROL SYSTEM, and U.S. Pat. No. 9,368,025,issued Jun. 14, 2016, entitled TWO-PART LOAD CONTROL SYSTEM MOUNTABLE TOA SINGLE ELECTRICAL WALLBOX, the entire disclosures of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

The load control system 100 may include a hub device 180 (e.g., a systembridge) configured to enable communication with a network 182, e.g., awireless or wired local area network (LAN). The hub device 180 may beconnected to a router via a wired digital communication link 184 (e.g.,an Ethernet communication link). The router may allow for communicationwith the network 182, e.g., for access to the Internet. The hub device180 may be wirelessly connected to the network 182, e.g., using wirelesstechnology, such as WI-FI® technology, cellular technology, etc. The hubdevice 180 may be configured to transmit communication signals (e.g., RFsignals 106) to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and/or themotorized window treatment 130 for controlling the devices in responseto digital messages received from external devices via the network 182.The hub device 180 may communicate via one or more types of RFcommunication signals (e.g., ZIGBEE®; NFC; BLUETOOTH®; WI-FI®; cellular;a proprietary communication channel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™, etc.). Thehub device 180 may be configured to transmit and/or receive RF signals106 (e.g., using ZIGBEE®; NFC; BLUETOOTH®; or a proprietarycommunication channel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™, etc.). The hub device 180may be configured to transmit digital messages via the network 182 forproviding data (e.g., status information) to external devices.

The RF signals 106 may be transmitted via one or more protocols. Forexample, the remote control device 116 and the remote control device 150may communicate digital messages to lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122via another protocol (e.g., ZIGBEE®, BLUETOOTH®, etc.) than otherdevices. For example, the occupancy sensor 160, daylight sensor 170,and/or motorized window treatment 130 may communicate via a proprietarycommunication channel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™. The hub device 180 mayformat digital communications using the appropriate protocol for thedevice. The hub device 180 may communicate using multiple protocols.

The hub device 180 may operate as a central controller for the loadcontrol system 100, and/or relay digital messages between the controldevices (e.g., lighting devices, motorized window treatments, etc.) ofthe load control system and the network 182. The hub device 180 mayreceive digital messages from a controller device and configure thedigital message for communication to a load control device. For example,the hub device 180 may configure multicast messages and/or unicastmessages for transmission as described herein. The hub device 180 may beon-site at the load control system 100 or at a remote location. Thoughthe hub device 180 is shown as a single device, the load control system100 may include multiple hubs and/or the functionality thereof may bedistributed across multiple devices.

The load control system 100 may include a network device 190, such as, asmart phone (for example, an iPhone® smart phone, an Android® smartphone, or a Blackberry® smart phone), a personal computer, a laptop, awireless-capable media device (e.g., MP3 player, gaming device, ortelevision), a tablet device, (for example, an iPad® hand-held computingdevice), a WI-FT® or wireless-communication-capable television, or anyother suitable network communication or Internet-Protocol-enableddevice. The network device 190 may be operable to transmit digitalmessages in one or more Internet Protocol packets to the hub device 180via RF signals 108, either directly or via the network 182. For example,the network device 190 may transmit the RF signals 108 to the hub device180 via a WI-FI® communication link, a WIMAX® communications link, aBLUETOOTH® communications link, a near field communication (NFC) link, acellular communications link, a television white space (TVWS)communication link, or any combination thereof. The RF signals 108 maybe communicated using a different protocol and/or wireless band than theRF signals 106. For example, the RF signals 108 may be configured forWI-FI® communication or cellular communication, while RF signals 106 maybe configured for ZIGBEE®, BLUETOOTH®, or a proprietary communicationchannel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™. In another example, the RF signals 108and the RF signals 106 may be the same. Examples of load control systemsoperable to communicate with network devices on a network are describedin greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2013/0030589, published Jan. 31, 2013, entitled LOADCONTROL DEVICE HAVING INTERNET CONNECTIVITY, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

The network device 190 may include a visual display 192. The visualdisplay 192 may include a touch screen that may include, for example, acapacitive touch pad displaced overtop the visual display, such that thevisual display may display soft buttons that may be actuated by a user.The network device 190 may include a plurality of hard buttons, e.g.,physical buttons (not shown), in addition to the visual display 192. Thenetwork device 190 may download a product control application forallowing a user of the network device 190 to control the load controlsystem 100. In response to actuations of the displayed soft buttonsand/or hard buttons, the network device 190 may transmit digitalmessages to the load control devices and/or the hub device 180 throughthe wireless communications described herein.

The operation of the load control system 100 may be programmed andconfigured using the hub device 180 and/or network device 190. Anexample of a configuration procedure for a wireless load control systemis described in greater detail in commonly-assigned U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2014/0265568, published Sep. 18, 2014,entitled COMMISSIONING LOAD CONTROL SYSTEMS, the entire disclosure ofwhich is hereby incorporated by reference.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may each be included in a groupof lighting devices that are associated with a common control device,such as the remote control device 116. For example, each of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may store the unique identifier of the remotecontrol device 116 during an association mode to enable the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to be controlled by digital messages from theremote control device 116 that include control instructions. The hubdevice 180 may store the associations between each of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and the remote control device 116 during anassociation mode. The association information may be used by the hubdevice 180 for routing digital messages to the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122, or the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may receivedigital messages from the remote control device 116 directly.

A subset of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be associatedwith other controller devices (e.g., remote control device 150,occupancy sensor 160, daylight sensor 170, network device 190, etc.)that may be capable of turning the subset of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 on and/or off. A subset of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may be controlled to a different intensity level than the otherlighting devices. In an example, the lighting device 122 may beindependently associated with the remote control device 150 and/or thenetwork device 190. The lighting device 122 may be separately controlledby the remote control device 150 and/or the network device 190, suchthat the lighting device 122 may be turned on while the lighting devices112 a, 112 b are turned off, or vice versa. In another example, thelighting device 122 may be separately controlled by the remote controldevice 150 and/or the network device 190, such that the lighting device122 may be dimmed to a different intensity level than the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b.

As a subset of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may beindependently controlled, the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may be in an inconsistent state (e.g., on/off state or intensitylevel). For example, the lighting device 122 may be controlled to an“on” state by the remote control device 150 or the network device 190,while the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b are in an “off” state. Thoughlighting device 122 is provided in an opposite state in examplesdescribed herein, the on/off state of any of the lighting devices in aload control system 100 may be out of sync with others. The remotecontrol device 116 may send a toggle command or an on/off command (e.g.,an “on” command or an “off” command) to the group of lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 to toggle the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 from an “on” state to an “off” state, or vice versa. The togglecommand or the on/off command may be sent in a multicast message that isreceived at each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, or inunicast messages that are independently directed to each of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The toggle command or the on/off command maybe communicated directly to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, orvia the hub device 180.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may identify the toggle commandreceived in the digital messages and toggle to the opposite state. In anexample in which the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b are in the “off”state, the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may identify the toggle commandand turn to the “on” state. In the example in which the lighting device122 is in the “on” state, the lighting device 122 may identify thetoggle command received in the digital messages and toggle to the “off”state.

To synchronize the on/off state of the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122, the remote control device 116, the remote control device150, or the network device 190 may transmit a digital message includinga direct command (e.g., an “on” command or an “off” command) to thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to control all of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to the same state. In addition, to synchronizethe on/off state of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, theremote control device 116, the remote control device 150, or the networkdevice 190 may transmit a digital message to a subset of the lightingdevices that are out of sync with the other lighting devices to causethe subset of the lighting devices to change states (e.g., via a togglecommand, an “on” command, or an “off” command). For example, in anexample in which the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b are in the “off”state and the lighting device 122 is in the “on” state, the remotecontrol device 116, the remote control device 150, or the network device190 may transmit a digital message to the lighting device 122 to causethe lighting device 122 to change states (e.g., via a toggle command, an“on” command, or an “off” command), or transmit a digital message to thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b to cause the lighting devices 112 a, 112 bto change states (e.g., via a toggle command, an “on” command, or an“off” command).

The load control system 100 may be configured to automaticallysynchronize and/or toggle the on/off state of the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote control device 116 may identify atoggle event and query the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 for theircurrent on/off state. The query message may be sent as a multicastmessage, or individual unicast messages, to each of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may return thecurrent on/off state, which may be stored locally thereon.

The remote control device 116 may choose the command to send in responseto the toggle event based on the current on/off state of one or more ofthe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote controldevice 116 may identify whether the on/off state across the group oflighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 is consistent. If the on/off stateacross the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 is consistent,the remote control device 116 may send the toggle command, an “on”command (if the lighting devices are off), or “off” command (if thelighting devices are on) to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 totoggle the on/off state of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. If the on/off state across the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 is inconsistent, the remote control device 116 may send a directcommand to all of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 or asynchronization message to a subset of the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 to change the on/off state of the subset.

The direct command may be an “on” command or an “off” command. Forexample, where lighting device 122 indicates that the lighting device122 is in an “on” state and lighting devices 112 a, 112 b indicate thatthe devices are each in the “off” state, the remote control device 116may send either an “on” command or an “off” command to all of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to synchronize the on/off stateacross the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote control device116 may send the direct command in a unicast message to each of thelighting devices. The remote control device 116 may send the directcommand in a multicast message to each of the lighting devices.

The synchronization message may include an “on” command or an “off”command. For example, where lighting device 122 indicates that thelighting device 122 is in an “on” state and lighting devices 112 a, 112b indicate that the devices are each in the “off” state, the remotecontrol device 116 may send an “off” command to the lighting device 122or an “on” command to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b to synchronizethe on/off state across the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Theremote control device 116 may send the synchronization message as aunicast message to the lighting devices to be changed. The remotecontrol device 116 may send the synchronization message as a multicastmessage that identifies the state of the devices that are intended torespond to the command in the synchronization message and leaves theon/off state of the other devices unchanged.

The synchronization message may include a toggle command directed to thesubset of lighting devices to be toggled. For example, where thelighting device 122 indicates that the lighting device 122 is in an “on”state and the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b indicate that the devicesare each in the “off” state, the remote control device 116 may send atoggle command to the lighting device 122 or a toggle command to thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b to synchronize the on/off state across thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote control device 116 maysend the synchronization message as a unicast message to the lightingdevices to be changed. The remote control device 116 may send thesynchronization message as a multicast message that indicates thedevices in the on/off state (e.g., “on” state or “off” state) that areto respond to the on/off command in the message.

The remote control device 116 may send a synchronization message tochange the on/off state of a preferred subset of lighting devices. Theremote control device 116 may send the synchronization message to changethe on/off state of the subset of devices having the lesser number ofdevices for which the on/off state is to be changed. The remote controldevice 116 may default to “turning off” a subset of lighting devices.For example, the remote control device 116 may query the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and when one of the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 returns an “on” state indicating that the device is on (e.g.,such as lighting device 122), the remote control device 116 may stopquerying devices and send a synchronization message (e.g., via unicastor multicast) to the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 thatincludes an “off” command to tell the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 to turn off. The remote control device 116 may default to“turning on” a subset of lighting devices. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may query the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 andwhen one of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 returns an “off”state indicating that the device is off (e.g., such as lighting devices112 a, 112 b), the remote control device 116 may stop querying thedevices and send a synchronization message (e.g., via unicast ormulticast) to the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 thatincludes an “on” command to tell the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 to turn on.

The remote control device 116 may send a digital message after thesynchronization message to toggle the group of synchronized lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote control device 116 may receive aresponse to the synchronization message that indicates the state of eachof the devices, or each of the devices that changed state in response tothe synchronization message. The response may be a state update message.The remote control device 116 may send a digital message after thesynchronization message to toggle the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122. For example, after the remote control device 116 toggles theon/off state of the lighting device 122 to the “off” state, the remotecontrol device 116 may send an “on” command or a toggle command to thegroup of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Such a command may be sentafter the synchronization message is sent, or after receiving a responseto the synchronization message, to toggle the entire group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

The remote control device 116 may send a synchronization message andwait for a subsequent toggle event. After receiving the toggle event,the remote control device 116 may query the group of lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122. When the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122are in a consistent state (e.g., “on” state or “off” state), the remotecontrol device 116 may send a toggle command, or an “on” or “off”command, to toggle the on/off state of the group of lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122.

The remote control device 116 may maintain the next state command (e.g.,“on” command or “off” command) to be sent from the remote control device116 in response to the identification of the next toggle event. Forexample, the remote control device 116 may pre-store an “on” commandafter transmission of an “off” command, and pre-store an “off” commandafter transmission of an “on” command. When the toggle event isidentified, the remote control device 116 may send the pre-stored statecommand (e.g., “on” command or “off” command).

The remote control device 116 may be a battery-powered remote controldevice that may enter a sleep mode to conserve battery power after apredetermined period of time has elapsed without receiving digitalmessages and/or user events. The remote control device may awaken from asleep mode in response to a toggle event and may send the pre-stored“on” command or “off” command to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.The pre-stored command may be sent under the assumption that the on/offstate of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 has been unchanged byother controller devices since the storing of the pre-stored command. Ifthe on/off state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 has goneunchanged by other controller devices since the last command from theremote control device 116, or the on/off state of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 has been returned to the on/off state indicated in thelast command from the remote control device 116, the pre-stored commandmay toggle the on/off state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122upon the remote control device 116 identifying a toggle event andawakening to send the command. If the on/off state of some of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 has been changed by other controllerdevices since the last command from the remote control device 116, thepre-stored command may act as a synchronization message for any of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that are out of sync. The lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that are already in the state indicated in thepre-stored command may be unresponsive to the pre-stored command.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that change an on/off state inresponse to an “on” command or an “off” command may send a state updatemessage to the remote control device 116 to indicate the change inon/off state. The remote control device 116 may receive the state updatemessage from the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that change state inresponse to the received “on” command or the received “off” command. Thelighting devices that fail to change the on/off state in response to thecommand from the remote control device 116 may be unresponsive. Forexample, the remote control device 116 may send an “off” command to thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and the lighting device 122 mayupdate the on/off state to the “off” state. The lighting device 122 maysend a response message to the remote control device 116 to indicate thechange in state. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be unresponsive,as they are already in the “off” state.

The remote control device 116 may stay awake to wait for an on/off stateupdate from the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote controldevice 116 may poll the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 while awake.The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may indicate a state change to an“on” state or an “off” state and send the updated state to the remotecontrol device 116. For example, as the lighting device 122 is indicatedin FIG. 1B as being in the “on” state, the remote control device 116 maytransmit an “off” command to the lighting device 122, and the lightingdevice 122 may change to the “off” state. The lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 may have stored thereon the identifiers (e.g., group numbers)of the controller devices that have subscribed to request state changeupdates for on/off states. The lighting device 122 may send a stateupdate message to the remote control device 116, which may be subscribedto receive the indication of the updated state. When the remote controldevice 116 receives the state update message, the remote control device116 may assume that the operation was successful and may go to sleep.The state update message may be send from the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 as unicast messages. The remote control device 116 may stayasleep until a subsequent user event at the device.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may already be in the indicatedstate received in the command from the remote control device 116. Forexample, the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be in the “off” state, asillustrated in FIG. 1B, when the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b receivethe “off” command. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may fail to providea state update message when a state change fails to be performed inresponse to the received command. If the remote control device 116 failsto receive a state update message from each of the lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122, the remote control device 116 may send the oppositeon/off command (e.g., the “on” command). For example, when the remotecontrol device 116 fails to receive a state update message from one ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b (e.g., after a predefined period oftime), the remote control device 116 may send the opposite on/offcommand (e.g., the “on” command) in a digital message (e.g., unicast ormulticast message) to toggle the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. The opposite on/off command may be sent, as a toggle event wasidentified and a subset of the lighting devices failed to toggle inresponse to the toggle event.

The pre-stored command may operate as a predicted state change. Thepre-stored command may attempt to predict the appropriate on/off statechange to be sent in response to a toggle event in an effort to reducelatency caused by additional messages that may be sent if none of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 changed state in response to thetransmitted state command. As the remote control device 116 may be abattery-powered device, the remote control device 116 may be in a sleepmode and may miss the changes in on/off state of lighting devices.

The pre-stored command may be used to identify the on/off state at thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The on/off state of the lightingdevice 122 may be identified by the state update message indicating thatthe lighting device 122 changed from the “on” state to the “off” statein response to the “off” command. The on/off state of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b may be identified by the lack of response to the“off” command.

The remote control device 116 may respond to the failure to receive astate update message from a subset of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. For example, the remote control device 116 may send an “off”command to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 (e.g., in a unicast ormulticast message). As the lighting device 122 may be in the “on” state,the lighting device 122 may change to the “off” state. The lightingdevice 122 may send a state update message to the remote control device116. As the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may already be in the “off”state, the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b may fail to send a state updatemessage. The remote control device 116 may identify the failure toreceive a response from the lighting device 112 a and/or lighting device112 b and may send an opposite state command (e.g., the “on” command ortoggle command) to the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Theopposite state command may be sent in a multicast message, or individualunicast messages, to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to togglethe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 together. The remotecontrol device 116 may choose to send the opposite state command (e.g.,the “on” command or toggle command), as the lighting devices 112 a, 112b failed to change an on/off state in response to the toggle event.

The remote control device 116 may default to sending an “off” command oran “on” command in response to a toggle event. If the remote controldevice 116 receives a state update message from each of the group oflighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the remote control device 116 maydetermine that the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 have been toggledand fail to send a subsequent on/off command to toggle the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122. If the remote control device 116 fails toreceive a state update message from a subset of the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the remote control device 116 may determinethat one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 failed totoggle and the remote control device 116 may send the opposite statecommand to toggle the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Whena lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 is out of sync, the first messagesent by the remote control device 116 may act as a synchronizationmessage. The next message may act to toggle the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122.

The load control system 100 may be configured to control the group oflighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 based on a current state of one ormore of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, or a subsetthereof. The remote control device 116 may identify a toggle event or arotation event (e.g., a predefined distance or time in a direction) forcontrolling an intensity level of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122and query the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 for their currentstate. The current state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 mayinclude their on/off state and/or intensity level. The toggle event orthe rotation event may cause the remote control device 116 to awakenfrom a sleep state. In addition, the remote control device 116 may beawakened from the sleep state in response to a sensing circuit (e.g., anoccupancy sensing circuit and/or a proximity sensing circuit) sensing anoccupant near the remote control device 116 (e.g., a proximity sensingevent). In response to the toggle event, the rotation event, or theproximity sensing event, the remote control device 116 may attempt toquery the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 with which the remotecontrol device 116 is associated for their current state. The querymessage may request the on/off state (e.g., in response to a toggleevent) and/or an intensity level (e.g., in response to a rotation) ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The query message may be sent asa multicast message, or individual unicast messages, to each of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may return the current on/off state and/or intensity level, whichmay be stored locally thereon.

After sending the query message to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 for their current state, the remote control device 116 may wait apredefined period of time for a response. Once the remote control device116 receives a response to the query from any of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122, the remote control device 116 may perform control ofthe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 based on the receivedresponse. For example, the remote control device 116 may receive aresponse to the query message from lighting device 112 a (e.g., thefirst lighting device from which the remote control device receives aresponse) and send a digital message to control the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 based on the response received from thelighting device 112 a. In addition, the remote control device 116 maywait for responses from all of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122before sending a digital message to control the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 based on the responses received from all ofthe lighting devices.

The query messages may be sent to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122as a multicast message or as unicast messages. After sending the querymessage, the remote control device 116 may wait a predefined period oftime for a response message. The response message from the lightingdevice 112 a may be the first message received in response to the querymessage. After receiving the first response message from the lightingdevice 112, the remote control device 116 may stop waiting for theremaining lighting devices 112 a, 122 to respond and may performsubsequent control based on the first response message received from thelighting device 112 a. Performing control based on a first response to aquery message may reduce time lag that may be caused by waiting forresponse messages from other devices.

The query message may be sent to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122in sequence. For example, the query message requesting the current stateof the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be sent as a unicastmessage to a first lighting device 112 a of the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote control device 116 may wait apredefined period of time for a response message from the lightingdevice 112 a. If the remote control device 116 fails to receive aresponse message within the predefined period of time, the remotecontrol device 116 may send a query message for the current state of asubsequent lighting device in the sequence. When a response message isreceived from a lighting device, the remote control device 116 may stopsending query messages to lighting devices and perform subsequentcontrol based on the response message received from the lighting device.

If a current status is unreceived from one or more of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 after the expiration of the predefined periodof time or the completion of the sequence of lighting devices, theremote control device 116 may send another query message or startanother sequence (e.g., up to a predefined number of times prior toperforming control). When the remote control device 116 fails to receivea response to a query message for the current state of a lighting device(e.g., after the predefined number of times prior to performingcontrol), the remote control device 116 may perform control of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 based on a locally stored state ofone or more lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 (e.g., on/off state orintensity level) or send a default command (e.g., default on/off commandor intensity level).

The remote control device 116 may use the on/off state of a lightingdevice to implement toggle logic for the group of lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122. For example, when the lighting device 112 a responds to aquery message indicating that the lighting device 112 a is in the “off”state, the remote control device 116 may send a digital message to thegroup of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to turn the group oflighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to the “on” state. When theresponding lighting device 112 a is in the “on” state, the remotecontrol device 116 may send a digital message to the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to turn the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 to the “off” state. When the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 are in the same state, the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 may be controlled as a group. When the on/off state of thegroup of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 is out of sync, the on/offstate of the lighting devices that are already in the state indicated inthe digital message may go unchanged in response to the digital messagefrom the remote control device 116.

The remote control device 116 may use the intensity level of a lightingdevice as a starting point (e.g., a dynamic starting point) upon whichdimming is performed for the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. For example, in response to the query from the remote controldevice 116, the lighting device 112 a may respond that it is at a 10%intensity level. The remote control device 116 may set the intensitylevel identified by the lighting device 122 as the dynamic startingpoint upon which control of the intensity for the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be performed. The remote control device116 may identify a continued rotation for increasing the intensity levelby an additional 20%. The remote control device 116 may add this 20% tothe dynamic starting point of 10% that was indicated as the currentintensity level of the lighting device 112 a that responded to theprevious query message from the remote control device 116. The remotecontrol device 116 may send a digital message to the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to control the group of lighting devices 112a, 112 b, 122 to an absolute intensity level of 30%. The digital messagemay include a go-to-level command that is configured to control each ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to a 30% intensity level. Each ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may receive the digital message(e.g., as a unicast message or a multicast message) and be controlled tothe absolute intensity level of 30%, unless the lighting device isalready at the indicated intensity level. When the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are in the same state, the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be controlled as a group. For example, thegroup of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be controlled togetherfrom 10% to 30%. When the state of the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 is out of sync, the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may becontrolled differently to reach the indicated intensity level. Forexample, the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that are above theindicated intensity level may decrease in intensity to meet theindicated intensity level. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 thatare below the indicated intensity level may increase in intensity tomeet the indicated intensity level. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 that are already in the state indicated in the digital message maygo unchanged in response to the digital message from the remote controldevice 116.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may fade from one intensity levelto another intensity level (e.g., be dimmed between intensity levelsover a fade time and/or at a fade rate) in response to receiving acommand. For example, the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may bedimmed at a rate or over a period of time such that each of the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that is not already at the indicated intensitylevel reaches the intensity level at the same time. For example, theremote control device 116 may send the go-to-level command with anamount of time or fade rate over which the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 are to be dimmed until the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122reach the indicated intensity level (e.g., different fade rates or fadetimes may be transmitted to each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122). The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 may be dimmed over theindicated period of time to the intensity level indicated in thego-to-level command. When one or more of the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 are at different intensity levels, the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 may be sent unicast messages with different fade rates suchthat the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 at different intensitylevels reach the intensity level indicated in the go-to-level command atthe same time. The fade time may vary in a predetermined amount for eachlevel the intensity may be increased or decreased.

The hub device 180 may operate as a master device that may be configuredto monitor the state of slave devices, such as lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122, and determine the appropriate command to be transmitted inresponse to a user interface event based on the state of the slavedevices. Though the hub device 180 may be described herein as being amaster device for controlling a group of lighting devices, other controldevices (e.g., one of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, remotecontrol device 150, occupancy sensor 160, daylight sensor 170, networkdevice 190, motorized window treatment 132, a remote computing device,etc.) may be assigned as a master device that operates as describedherein for the hub device 180. When a lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122is assigned as the master device, the lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122may already know its own state, but may monitor the state of other slavedevices. Though other devices may operate as the master device, they maystill communicate via the hub device 180.

The hub device 180, or another master device, may generate anappropriate command to synchronize the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 when the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out of sync. Themaster device may be configured with default commands that synchronizethe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. For example, in response to atoggle command, the master device may determine that one or more of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are on and transmit an off command toput the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 in the off state. In responseto a toggle command, the master device may determine that one or more ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are off and transmit an oncommand to put the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 in the on state.

The hub device 180, or another master device, may automaticallysynchronize and/or toggle the on/off state of the group of lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remote control device 116 may identify atoggle event and send a digital message to the hub device 180 indicatingthat the toggle event has been identified. The digital message mayinclude a toggle command, an “on” command, or an “off” command. Theremote control device 116 may switch between the transmission of the“on” command and the “off” command each time the remote control device116 identifies a toggle event. The digital message may include anotherindication that the remote control device 116 identified the toggleevent. The hub device 180 may generate the commands to be sent forcontrolling the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 in response to themessages received from the remote control device 116 and/or the othercontroller devices in the load control environment.

The hub device 180 may keep track of the on/off state of each of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 after being implemented in the loadcontrol system 100. Upon initial implementation into the load controlsystem, the hub device 180 may query the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 for their current on/off state. The query message may be sent as amulticast message, or individual unicast messages, to each of thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 may return the current on/off state, which may be stored locallythereon. The hub device 180 may identify commands communicated to thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 and maintain the current on/off stateof the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 in memory. The digitalmessages that are communicated to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122for controlling the on/off state may be monitored to determine thecurrent on/off state, without sending an initial query message. The hubdevice 180 may be powered and/or awake at all times (e.g., at all timesthan the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are also powered), such thatthe hub device is able to monitor the states of the lighting devices bylistening to the messages transmitted by the lighting devices. Inaddition, the hub device 180 may enter a sleep mode and periodicallywake up to transmit query messages to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 to determine the on/off states of the lighting devices.

The hub device 180 may also, or alternatively, send a synchronizationmessage to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to synchronize thegroup and identify an initial state for each lighting device 112 a, 112b, 122. The synchronization message may include an “on” command or an“off” command instructing each of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122to turn on or off, respectively. The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122that are in the opposite state may be toggled, while the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that are already in the indicated on/off statemay remain in the indicated state. The lighting devices that perform achange of on/off state may send a state update message to the hub device180.

When the hub device 180 receives an indication of a toggle event fromthe remote control device 116, the hub device 180 may choose the commandto send, or whether to send a command, to the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122. The decision at the hub device 180 may be based on thecurrent on/off state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The hubdevice 180 may identify whether the on/off state across the group oflighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 is consistent. If the on/off stateacross the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 is consistent,the hub device 180 may send the toggle command, or an “on” command or“off” command, to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to toggle theon/off state of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

The hub device 180 may identify when the on/off state of the group oflighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 is inconsistent. For example, the hubdevice 180 may identify a digital message from the remote control device150 or the network device 190 that causes the lighting device 122 tochange in on/off state independent of the other lighting devices 112 a,112 b. If the on/off state across the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 is inconsistent, the hub device 180 may send asynchronization message to a subset of the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 to change the on/off state of the subset in response to anidentification of a toggle event. For example, when the hub device 180identifies the lighting device 122 is in an “on” state and that lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b are each in the “off” state, the hub device 180 maysend an “off” command to the lighting device 122 or an “on” command tothe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b to synchronize the on/off state acrossthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The hub device 180 may send thesynchronization message as a unicast message to the lighting devices tobe changed. The hub device 180 may send the synchronization message as amulticast message that includes an identified state of the devices to bechanged (e.g., lighting devices in an “on” state or an “off” state). Thesynchronization message may change the on/off state of the devicescurrently in an identified state and leave the on/off state of the otherdevices unchanged. The hub device 180 may send the toggle command in thesynchronization message (e.g., as a unicast message) to the lightingdevices to be changed.

The hub device 180 may send a synchronization message to change theon/off state of a preferred subset of lighting devices. The hub device180 may send the synchronization message to change the on/off state ofthe subset of devices having the lesser number of devices for which theon/off state is to be changed, as such a change may be less noticeableand may cause less messages to be sent in some instances. The hub device180 may default to “turning off” a subset of lighting devices. Forexample, when the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are out of sync,the hub device 180 may send a synchronization message (e.g., via unicastor multicast) to the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 thatincludes an “off” command to tell the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 to turn off. The hub device 180 may default to “turning on” asubset of lighting devices. For example, the hub device 180 may send asynchronization message (e.g., via unicast or multicast) to the group oflighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that includes an “on” command to tellthe group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 to turn on.

The hub device 180 may send a digital message after the synchronizationmessage to control the group of synchronized lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122. The hub device 180 may receive a response to the synchronizationmessage that indicates the state of each of the devices, or each of thedevices that changed state in response to the synchronization message.The hub device 180 may send a digital message after the synchronizationmessage to toggle the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. Forexample, after the hub device 180 toggles the on/off state of thelighting device 122 to the “off” state, the hub device 180 may send an“on” command or a toggle command to the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122. Such a command may be sent after the synchronization messageis sent, or after receiving a state update message in response to thesynchronization message.

The hub device 180 may send a synchronization message and wait for anindication of a subsequent toggle event from the remote control device116. After receiving the indication of the toggle event, the hub device180 may determine whether the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122 are in a consistent state. When the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 are in a consistent state (e.g., “on” or “off” state), thehub device 180 may send a toggle command, or an “on” or “off” command,to toggle the state of the group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

The lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that change an on/off state inresponse to an “on” command or an “off” command may send a state updatemessage to the hub device 180 to indicate the change in on/off state.The hub device 180 may receive the state update message from thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 that change state in response to thereceived “on” command or the received “off” command. The lightingdevices that fail to change the on/off state in response to the commandfrom the hub device 180 may be unresponsive. For example, the hub device180 may send an “off” command to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122and the lighting device 122 may update the on/off state to the “off”state. The lighting device 122 may send a response message to the hubdevice 180 to indicate the change in state. The hub device 180 may storethe updated state and/or confirm the state of the unresponsive devices.The hub device 180 may, alternatively, store the updated state of thelighting device 122 after sending the command. As the hub device 180 maybe maintaining the on/off state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122, the remote control device 116 may go to sleep after transmitting amessage in response to the toggle event.

The remote control device 116 may receive an indication when the hubdevice 180 and/or other control devices are implemented in the loadcontrol system 100. The remote control device 116 may be associated withother controller devices (e.g., remote control device 150, occupancysensor 160, daylight sensor 170, network device 190, etc.), or may beotherwise notified when the controller devices are associated withanother device (e.g., a lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 or the hubdevice 180) in the load control system 100. The remote control device116 may be associated with the hub device 180, or may be otherwisenotified (e.g., via a message from the hub device 180, a notification ofassociation from a lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 that associatedwith the hub device 180, etc.) when the hub device 180 is implementedinto the system 100.

The remote control device 116 may provide feedback via the statusindicator 117 in different feedback modes based information regardingthe control devices to which the remote control device is associated.The decision on type of feedback provided by the status indicator 119may be made at the time of association of the remote control device 116and stored at the remote control device 116. The decision on the type offeedback provided by the status indicator 119 may be made dynamically.For example, the type of feedback displayed via the status indicator 119may change depending on the information determined in response to aquery message sent to the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, other loadcontrol devices, and/or the hub device 180. The query message may besent in response to an actuation on the remote control device 116. Theremote control device 116 may wake up in response to an actuation andping associated lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, other load controldevices, or a hub device 180 to determine a status of the electricalloads controlled by the associated load control devices.

The decision on the type of feedback provided by the status indicator119 may be made at the remote control device 116 or at another device.For example, the decision on the type of feedback provided by the statusindicator 119 may be made at a master device, such as the hub device 180or one of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The master device mayquery the load control devices for a given status, or maintain thestatus of the electrical loads locally based on feedback messages ormessages being communicated for control of the electrical loads. Whenthe remote control device 116 is being associated or awakens from asleep state, a request may be sent to the master device for the type offeedback to be provided by the status indicator 119. The type offeedback may be selected by a user or by the master device based onpredefined rules and sent to the remote control device 116. The remotecontrol device 116 may then provide the type of feedback on the statusindicator 119 that is received in the response.

As indicated above, the type of visual feedback may be userconfigurable. The network device 190 may configure the operation of theremote control device 116 (e.g., configure the feedback type used by theremote control device) without directly communicating with the remotecontrol device 116. For example, the network device 190 may displaydifferent feedback types to a user. The network device 190 may receive aselection of a feedback type from the user and communicate the selectedfeedback type via RF signals 108 to a master device, such as the hubdevice 180 or another master device (e.g., one of the lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122). The user may select between simple feedback oradvanced feedback for a given scenario (e.g., a number of associateddevices, when the electrical loads are in sync our out of sync, when theremote control device 116 is associated with a master device or notassociated with a master device, etc.), as described herein. The usermay also select between different types of simple feedback or differenttypes of advanced feedback for a given scenario (e.g., as will bedescribed in greater detail below).

The user may choose between different intensity levels or colors to beprovided via the status indicator 119 for different feedback types. Theintensity levels or colors may correspond to different load controldevices for which the feedback is being provided. For example, adifferent intensity level may be provided for the light source of thestatus indicator 119 when the feedback corresponds to light levels,volume levels, and/or fan speeds. A different color may be provided forthe light source of the status indicator 119 when the feedbackcorresponds to light levels, volume levels, and/or fan speeds.

The master device may store the user-selected feedback type for beingprovided for the scenario in which the feedback type was selected (e.g.,a number of associated devices, when the electrical loads are in syncour out of sync, when the remote control device 116 is associated with amaster device or not associated with a master device, etc.). The remotecontrol device 116 may retrieve the feedback type from the master devicewhen the remote control device 116 next queries the master device. Theremote control device 116 may store the feedback type in memory forfuture use when the corresponding scenario exists. The remote controldevice 116 may query for the feedback type each time the feedback is tobe provided on the status indicator 119.

Since the network device 190 is configured to store the selectedfeedback type on the master device for later retrieval by the remotecontrol device 116 (e.g., in response to an actuation of the actuationportion 117 and/or the rotation portion 118), the remote control device116 does not need to provide a way for communicating directly with thenetwork device 190. For example, the remote control device 116 does notneed to wake up periodically to determine if the network device 190 isattempting to communicate with the remote control device, which couldlead to increased battery consumption and reduced life of the battery ofthe remote control device. This method of configuring the operation ofthe remote control device 116 could be used to configure other operatingparameters of the remote control device 116.

The remote control device 116 may operate to provide different types offeedback (e.g., advanced feedback or simple feedback) based oninformation about the associated devices. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may provide different feedback on the statusindicator 119 when associated with a master device, such as the hubdevice 180 or other master device, than when not associated with themaster device. The remote control device 116 may provide advancedfeedback on the status indicator 119 when associated with the hub device180 that is capable of providing the status of load control devices tothe remote control device 116. The remote control device 116 may providesimple feedback on the status indicator 119 when not associated with thehub device 180.

The remote control device 116 may provide feedback via the statusindicator 119 in different feedback modes based on whether the remotecontrol device 116 is associated with the hub device 180 or anothermaster device, such as one of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122,for example. The remote control device 116 may provide advanced feedbackwhen associated with a master device and provide simple feedback whennot associated with a master device. When the remote control device 116is associated with a master lighting device, the remote control device116 may provide advanced feedback on the status indicator 119 anddisplay the state of the master lighting device as feedback on thestatus indicator 119. As the master device may synchronize the state ofthe lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the remote control device 116may provide advanced feedback that indicates an intensity level of thesynchronized group of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. In addition,the master device may collect and store the intensity levels of thegroup of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, and may decide the level todisplay for advanced feedback if the lighting devices are out of sync.When the remote control device 116 is not associated with a masterdevice, the remote control device 116 may provide simple feedback thatilluminates the entire status indicator 119 to different levels whenraising or lowering intensity of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, orwhen the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 are on or off.

When the remote control device 116 is operating in the load controlsystem 100 without other controller devices or the hub device 180, theremote control device 116 may trust that an internally stored on/offstate matches that of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122. The remotecontrol device 116 may send a toggle command or an on/off command in thenext message transmitted in response to a toggle event to toggle thegroup of lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

Though the remote control device 116 may be operating in the loadcontrol system 100 with other controller devices, the other controllerdevices may not be associated with the group of lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122 that are associated with the remote control device 116. Asthe other controller devices may not be associated with the group oflighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122, the other controller devices may beunable to toggle the on/off state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122. The remote control device 116 may determine whether othercontroller devices are associated with the lighting devices 112 a, 112b, 122 by querying the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 for associateddevices. Each lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 may respond with theunique identifiers of devices associated with the device. The uniqueidentifiers may indicate devices or device types (e.g., remote controldevices, occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, network devices, hubdevices, etc.) associated with the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122.

Each controller device may be associated with a lighting device 112 a,112 b, 122 by sending a unique group identifier to the lighting device112 a, 112 b, 122 while the lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122 is in anassociation mode. The group of associated devices may have storedthereon the unique group identifier of the controller device. Othercontroller devices may query the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 todetermine whether they are in the group of devices that may becontrolled by messages (e.g., unicast or multicast messages) sent to thegroup. For example, remote control device 116 may query the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 for the group identifiers of other controllerdevices. The lighting device 122 may respond with the group identifierfor the remote control device 150 and/or the network device 190, whichmay be previously associated with the lighting device 122. As thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b may be unassociated with other controllerdevices, or other controller devices of a specific device type (e.g.,devices capable of toggling on/off state), the remote control device 116may keep track of the on/off state of the lighting devices 112 a, 112 band toggle the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b by sending a toggle commandor opposing on/off commands in the next message transmitted in responseto a toggle event. The remote control device 116 may operate asotherwise described herein with regard to the lighting device 122, asthe on/off state of the lighting device 122 may be out of sync with thelighting devices 112 a, 112 b due to the independent control of othercontroller devices.

The remote control device 116 may poll the associated lighting devices112 a, 112 b, 122 for other associated controller devices after theexpiration of a predetermined time interval. For example, the remotecontrol device 116 may poll an associated lighting device 112 a, 112 b,122 periodically for a predefined number of polling requests afterassociating with the lighting device 112 a, 112 b, 122. The pollingrequests may be overridden by an actuation on the remote control device.The remote control device 116 may identify the override of the pollingrequests and assume that the internal on/off state of the associatedlighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122 is correct.

Though the remote control device 116 and/or the hub device 180 may bedescribed for synchronizing and/or toggling the lighting devices 112 a,112 b, 122, other controller devices in the load control system 100 maybe similarly implemented for synchronizing and/or toggling the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122. For example, the toggle event may beidentified by the occupancy sensor 160 detecting an occupancy or vacancycondition in the load control environment 100. The occupancy sensor 160may transmit commands for synchronizing and/or toggling the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122 in response to the toggle event, as describedherein. The toggle event may be identified by the daylight sensor 170detecting a daylight level above a predefined threshold in the loadcontrol environment 100. The daylight sensor 170 may transmit commandsfor synchronizing and/or toggling the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b, 122in response to the toggle event, as described herein.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are system flow diagrams depicting example message flowsfor communicating digital messages between a remote control device 202and lighting devices 204 a, 204 b in a load control system. As shown inFIG. 2A, the remote control device 202 may transmit digital messages totoggle the on/off state of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b. Thedigital messages may be used to synchronize the lighting devices 204 a,204 b, or control the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b when they are insync.

The remote control device 202 may store of the state of the lightingdevices 204 a, 204 b. The remote control device 202 may maintain thestate of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b while the remote controldevice 202 is awake. When the state of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 bare out of sync, the remote control device 202 may send a digitalmessage (e.g., including a toggle command, an intensity level, color,etc.) to synchronize the state of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b.After determining the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b are in sync, theremote control device 202 may change the internally stored state of thelighting devices 204 a, 204 b to reflect any change of state. Forexample, the remote control device may flip the internal state of thelighting devices 204 a, 204 b in response to transmission of a togglecommand, and/or receipt of a status message. The remote control device202 may send a default command after awakening from a sleep mode and,after determining and storing the current state of the lighting devices204 a, 204 b thereon, flip the current state of each of the lightingdevices 204 a, 204 b stored thereon after transmission of eachsubsequent toggle command while the remote control device 202 remainsawake.

Prior to the remote control device 202 transmitting an initial message(e.g., after awakening from a sleep state), an initial state of thelighting devices 204 a, 204 b may be out of sync. For example, thelighting device 204 a may be in an off state and the lighting device 204b may be in an on state. The remote control device 202 may identify auser interface event (e.g., actuation, rotation, finger swipe, etc.) asa toggle event and transmit a default toggle command, such as an oncommand 206, as an initial message (e.g., after awakening from a sleepstate). The on command 206 may be a default command transmitted from theremote control device 202 or may be determined from the internallystored state of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b. The on command 206may be sent as a multicast message or individual unicast messages thatare received by the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b. Though a toggle eventand a toggle command are provided as examples, other user interfaceevents and/or commands may be implemented. For example, a user interfaceevent may be identified for increasing/decreasing an intensity level anda go-to-level command may be transmitted for increasing/decreasing theintensity level. Additionally, though FIG. 2A illustrates an on command206 being transmitted as the initial message for synchronization of thelighting devices 204 a, 204 b, the remote control device 202 mayinitially transmit an off command or another command.

The lighting devices that change in state after receiving the on command206 may send a state update message to the remote control device 202.For example, as the lighting device 204 a is in the off state, thelighting device 204 a may turn to the on state in response to receivingthe on command 206 and send a state update message 208 to the remotecontrol device 202. The state update message may indicate the updatedstate of the lighting device 204 a, or the updated state may be inferredfrom receipt of the state update message 208. As the remote controldevice 202 does not receive a state update message from the lightingdevice 204 b, the remote control device 202 may assume that the lightingdevice 204 b is already in the on state.

The remote control device 202 may operate as though the on command 206is a synchronization message that synchronizes the lighting devices 204a, 204 b. After transmitting the on command 206 and receiving the stateupdate message 208, the remote control device 202 may identify userinterface events (e.g., actuations, rotations, finger swipes, etc.) andtransmit digital messages to control the lighting devices 204 a, 204 bin response to those user interface events. The remote control device202 may continue to update the internally stored state of the lightingdevices 204 a, 204 b as the state of the devices changes.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the remote control device 202 may transmit one ormore digital messages that include default commands to lighting device204 a, 204 b. For example, the remote control device 202 may transmit adefault toggle command, such as an on command 210, to the lightingdevices 204 a, 204 b as an initial command after a user interface event(e.g., after awakening from a sleep state in response to an actuation,rotation, finger swipe, etc.). As the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b mayalready be in the on state, the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b may beunresponsive to the on command 210. When the remote control device 202fails to receive a state update message in response to the on command210 after a predetermined period of time, or fails to receive a stateupdate message from each associated lighting device 204 a, 204 b after apredetermined period of time, the remote control device 202 may transmitthe opposite command or another command. For example, the remote controldevice 202 may transmit the off command 212 after the remote controldevice 202 fails to receive a state update message in response to the oncommand 210. The on command 210 and/or the off command 212 may be sentas a multicast message or individual unicast messages that are receivedby the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b.

The lighting devices that change in state after receiving the on command210 or the off command 212 may send a state update message to the remotecontrol device 202. As the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b are in an onstate, the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b may change to an off state andrespond to the off command 212 and transmit respective state updatemessages 214, 216. The state update message may indicate the updatedstate of the lighting devices 204 a, 204 b or the updated state may beinferred from receipt of the state update messages 214, 216.

After receiving the state update messages 214, 216, the remote controldevice 202 may identify user interface events (e.g., actuations,rotations, finger swipes, etc.) and transmit digital messages to controlthe lighting devices 204 a, 204 b in response to those user interfaceevents. Though FIG. 2B illustrates an on command 210 being transmittedas the initial message from the remote control device 202, the remotecontrol device 202 may initially transmit an off command or anothercommand.

FIGS. 3A-3D are system flow diagrams depicting example message flows forgenerating lighting control commands in response to an actuation of anactuator (e.g., the actuation portion 117 and/or the rotation portion118 of the remote control device 116) and/or a sensing circuit sensingan occupant near the remote control device 116 (e.g., a proximitysensing event). FIGS. 3A-3C depict example message flows for queryingfor a current status of lighting devices in response to an actuation ofa toggle actuator (e.g., the actuation portion 117) and generatinglighting control commands in response to the identified status. As shownin FIG. 3A, a remote control device 302 may transmit a status querymessage 306 for identifying the status of lighting devices, such aslighting devices 304 a, 304 b. The status query message 306 may betransmitted as an initial message (e.g., after awakening from a sleepstate) after identifying a user interface event (e.g., actuation,rotation, finger swipe, etc.) and/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., asensing circuit sensing an occupant near the remote control device 116).The status query message 306 may be sent as a multicast message orindividual unicast messages that are received by the lighting devices304 a, 304 b.

The remote control device 302 may receive a response to the status querymessage 306 from each of the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b that receivethe status query message 306 and/or with which the remote control device302 is associated. For example, the lighting device 304 a may transmit astatus message 308 in response to the status query message 306 thatindicates that the lighting device 304 a is in the off state. Thelighting device 304 b may transmit a status message 310 in response tothe status query message 306 that indicates that the lighting device 304b is in the on state. The status messages may also, or alternatively,indicate an intensity, color, or other status of the lighting devicefrom which the status message is transmitted.

If the remote control device 302 determines that any of the lightingdevices 304 a, 304 b are in the on state, the remote control device 302may be configured to transmit a default toggle command, such as the offcommand 312. The off command 312 may be sent as a multicast message orindividual unicast messages that are received by the lighting devices304 a, 304 b. Though an off command 312 may be transmitted as thedefault toggle command as shown in FIG. 3A, the remote control device302 may transmit an on command or another default command in response toidentifying a status of one or more of the lighting devices 304 a, 304b.

The remote control device 302 may determine that the state of thelighting devices 304 a, 304 b is out of sync and may transmit asynchronization message to synchronize the state of the lighting devices304 a, 304 b. For example, the remote control device 302 may send theoff command 312 to synchronize the state of the lighting devices 304 a,304 b. The synchronization message may include a command to control thelighting device 304 b to the state of the lighting device 304 a, or viceversa. Though an off command 312 may be transmitted as thesynchronization message, the remote control device 302 may transmit anon command or another command to perform synchronization.

The lighting device 304 b may turn to the off state in response toreceiving the off command 312 and send a state update message 314 to theremote control device 302. The state update message 316 may indicate theupdated state of the lighting device 304 b, or the updated state may beinferred from receipt the state update message 314 itself. As thelighting device 304 a may already be in the off state, the lightingdevice 304 a may be unresponsive to the off command 312. This may limitunnecessary network communications in the system. The remote controldevice 302 may continue to identify user interface events and/orproximity sensing events, and control the lighting devices 304 a, 304 bin response to the user interface events and/or proximity sensingevents.

The remote control device 302 may determine the control instructions forbeing sent to the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b based on the status ofone of the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b. For example, the remotecontrol device 302 may determine the control instructions for being sentto the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b based on the status of a masterlighting device or a lighting device that is first to respond to thestatus query message 306. The remote control device 302 may control thestate of both of the lighting devices, 304 a, 304 b to respond to thestatus query message by sending a command to toggle the lightingdevices, or may toggle the other lighting devices in order tosynchronize the other devices with the state of the master lightingdevice or the first lighting device to respond.

The remote control device 302 may respond to the status of the firstlighting device 304 a, 304 b to respond to a status query message. Asshown in FIG. 3B a status query message 320 may be sent as a unicastmessage to each lighting device 304 a, 304 b, or as a multicast message.The lighting device 304 a may be the first device to receive the statusquery message 320 and/or from which a status message 322 is received inresponse. The status message 322 may indicate the status of the lightingdevice 304 a, which may cause the remote control device 302 to send theopposite command (e.g., the on command 324). The on command 324 may besent as a unicast or multicast message. As the lighting device 304 a isupdated, the status update message 326 may be received at the remotecontrol device 302.

As shown in FIG. 3C a status query message 330 may be sent as a unicastmessage to each lighting device 304 a, 304 b, or as a multicast message.The lighting device 304 b may be the first device to receive the statusquery message 330 and/or from which a status message 332 is received inresponse. The status message 332 may indicate the status of the lightingdevice 304 b, which may cause the remote control device 302 to send theopposite command (e.g., the off command 334). The off command 334 may besent as a unicast or multicast message. As the lighting device 304 b isupdated, the status update message 336 may be received at the remotecontrol device 302. The examples shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C may beimplemented to synchronize the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b morequickly, as the remote control device 302 may respond to the status ofthe first device from which a response is received.

Though not shown in FIG. 3B, the remote control device 302 may scan forlighting devices 304 a, 304 b in a preferred state (e.g., on/off state,lighting intensity, color, etc.). The remote control device 302 may sendthe status query message as a unicast message to each of the lightingdevices 304 a, 304 b or as a multicast message to both lighting devices304 a, 304 b. The remote control device 302 may continue to send astatus query message to each of the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b untilone of the lighting devices returns a non-preferred state. For example,remote control device 302 may send the status query message 306 to thelighting device 304 a and receive the status message 308 prior tosending a status query message to the lighting device 304. The remotecontrol device 302 may stop scanning for lighting devices when theremote control device 302 receives a status message from a lightingdevice that identifies the lighting device as being in a non-preferredstate (e.g., state other than the preferred on/off state, lightingintensity, color, etc.), or when the remote control device 302 hasscanned each lighting device.

The remote control device 302 may transmit a status query message thatrequests a response from lighting devices in a particular state. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 3B, the remote control device 302 may transmita status query message 320 that requests a response from lightingdevices in the off state. The status query message 320 may betransmitted as an initial message (e.g., after awakening from a sleepstate) after identifying a user interface event (e.g., actuation,rotation, finger swipe, etc.) and/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., asensing circuit sensing an occupant near the remote control device 116).The status query message 320 may be a multicast message or individualunicast messages by the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b with which theremote control device 302 may be associated.

As the lighting device 304 a is in the off state, the lighting device304 a may respond with a status message 322 that indicates that thelighting device 304 a is in the off state. The status message 322 mayidentify that the lighting device 304 a is in the off state, or thetransmission of the status message 322 itself may indicate that thelighting device 304 a is in the off state. As the lighting device 304 bis in the on state, the lighting device 304 b may be unresponsive to thestatus query message 320.

The remote control device 302 may receive a response to the status querymessage 320 from the lighting device 304 a and determine that at leastone lighting device is in the off state. If the remote control device302 determines that any of the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b are in theoff state, the remote control device 302 may be configured to transmit adefault toggle message, such as the on command 324. The on command 324may be sent as a multicast message or individual unicast messages thatare received by the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b.

The remote control device 302 may receive a response to the status querymessage 320 from the lighting device 304 a and identify that a responsehas not been received from the lighting device 304 b. The remote controldevice 302 may assume, based on the response from the lighting device304 a and the lack of a response from the lighting device 304 b, thatthe lighting devices 304 a, 304 b are out of sync. The remote controldevice 302 may determine control instructions for being sent to thelighting devices 304 a, 304 b based on the responses and/or lack ofresponses from the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b. For example, theremote control device 302 may transmit the on command 324 to change thestate of the lighting device 304 a. The lighting device 304 a may turnon and transmit a state update message 326 to the remote control device302.

The remote control device 302 may transmit a status query message 320,330 that requests a response from lighting devices in another state,such as the on state, for example. The status query message 320, 330 maybe transmitted as an initial message (e.g., after awakening from a sleepstate) after identifying a user interface event (e.g., actuation,rotation, finger swipe, etc.) and/or a proximity sensing event (e.g., asensing circuit sensing an occupant near the remote control device 116).The status query message 320, 330 may be a multicast message orindividual unicast messages received by the lighting devices 304 a, 304b with which the remote control device 302 may be associated.

As shown in FIG. 3C, as the lighting device 304 b is in the on state,the lighting device 304 b may respond with a status message 332 thatindicates that the lighting device 304 b is in the on state. The statusmessage 332 may identify that the lighting device 304 b is in the onstate, or the transmission of the status message 332 itself may indicatethat the lighting device 304 b is in the on state. As the lightingdevice 304 a is in the off state, the lighting device 304 a may beunresponsive to the status query message 330.

The remote control device 302 may receive a response to the status querymessage 330 from the lighting device 304 b and determine that at leastone lighting device is in the on state. If the remote control device 302determines that any of the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b are in the onstate, the remote control device 302 may be configured to transmit adefault toggle message, such as the off command 334. The off command 334may be sent as a multicast message or individual unicast messages thatare received by the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b.

The remote control device 302 may receive a response to the status querymessage 330 from the lighting device 304 b and identify that a responsehas not been received from the lighting device 304 a. The remote controldevice 302 may assume, based on the response from the lighting device304 b and the lack of a response from the lighting device 304 a, thatthe lighting devices 304 a, 304 b are out of sync. The remote controldevice 302 may determine control instructions for being sent to thelighting devices 304 a, 304 b based on the responses and/or lack ofresponses from the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b. For example, theremote control device 302 may transmit an off command 336 to change thestate of the lighting device 304 b. The lighting device 304 b may turnon and transmit a state update message 336 to the remote control device302.

The control instructions in the off command 322 and the on command 332may be default commands that are sent when lighting devices are out ofsync, or the control instructions may be determined dynamically based onthe response or lack of response to the status query messages 320, 330.Though an off command 322 and an on command 332 are provided asexamples, other control instructions may be provided forsynchronization, such as an intensity level, a color, etc.

FIG. 3D depicts an example message flow for querying for a currentstatus (e.g., intensity levels) of lighting devices in response to anactuation of an intensity adjustment actuator (e.g., the rotationportion 118) and generating lighting control commands in response to theidentified status. As shown in FIG. 3D, a remote control device 302 maytransmit a status query message 340 for identifying the intensity levelof lighting devices, such as lighting devices 304 a, 304 b. The statusquery message 340 may be transmitted as an initial message (e.g., afterawakening from a sleep state) after identifying a user interface event(e.g., actuation, rotation, finger swipe, etc.) and/or a proximitysensing event (e.g., a sensing circuit sensing an occupant near theremote control device 116). The status query message 340 may be sent asa multicast message or individual unicast messages that are received bythe lighting devices 304 a, 304 b.

The remote control device 302 may determine the control instructions forbeing sent to the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b based on the status ofone of the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b. For example, the remotecontrol device 302 may determine the control instructions for being sentto the lighting devices 304 a, 304 b based on the status of a firstlighting device to respond to the status query message 306 (e.g.,lighting device 304 a as shown in FIG. 3D). The remote control device302 may control the intensity levels of both of the lighting devices 304a, 304 b by sending a command to go to the state of the master lightingdevice or the first lighting device to respond, or may toggle the otherlighting devices in order to synchronize the other devices with thestate of the master lighting device or the first lighting device torespond.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are system flow diagrams depicting example message flowsfor communicating digital messages in a load control system thatimplements a hub device 406 as a master device. Though the hub device406 may be implemented as the master device, another master device maybe similarly implemented, such as one of the lighting devices 404 a, 404b, for example. A remote control device 402 may be in communication withthe hub device 406 for transmitting commands in response to userinterface events and/or receiving feedback. As shown in FIG. 4A, theremote control device 402 may identify a user interface event (e.g.,actuation, rotation, finger swipe, etc.) that triggers a toggle command408, though other commands may also be communicated. The hub device 406may receive the toggle command 408 and determine the controlinstructions for being sent to lighting devices 404 a, 404 b that areassociated with the remote control device 402 for performing loadcontrol.

The hub device 406 may operate as a master device that maintains thecurrent state of the lighting devices 404 a, 404 b and transmits acommand for performing control based on the current state of thelighting devices 404 a, 404 b. For example, in response to the togglecommand 408, the hub device 406 may identify that the lighting devices404 a, 404 b are both in the on state and send an off command 410 tochange the state of the lighting devices 404 a, 404 b. The off command410 may be sent as a multicast message or individual unicast messages tothe lighting devices 404 a, 404 b.

The lighting devices 404 a, 404 b may send respective state updatemessages 414, 416 to the hub device 406 to indicate a change of state inresponse to the off command 410 and/or the off command 412. The hubdevice 406 may store the updated state of the lighting devices 404 a,404 b for future reference for generating control instructions and/orproviding feedback to the remote control device 402. The hub device 406may send a feedback message 418 to the remote control device 402 toidentify the updated state of the lighting devices 404 a, 404 b. Theremote control device 402 may provide feedback to a user on the statusindicator 403 to indicate the updated state of the lighting devices 404a, 404 b indicated in the feedback message 418.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the remote control device 402 may identify a userinterface event that triggers a toggle command 420 that is transmittedto the hub device 406, though other commands may also be communicated.In response to the toggle command 408, the hub device 406 may determinethat the state of the lighting devices 404 a, 404 b are out of sync andsynchronize the lighting devices 404 a, 404 b. The hub device 406 mayidentify that the lighting device 404 a is in an off state and thelighting device 404 b is in an on state and may transmit asynchronization message to the lighting devices 404 a, 404 b. Thesynchronization message may include a default toggle command, such as anoff command 422 or an on command, when the lighting devices 404 a, 404 bare determined to be out of sync. The hub device may also, oralternatively, generate other lighting control instructions dynamicallywhen the lighting devices 404 a, 404 b are determined to be out of sync.The off command 422 may be sent as a multicast message or individualunicast messages to the lighting devices 404 a, 404 b.

The lighting device 404 b may send a state update message 426 to the hubdevice 406 to indicate a change of state in response to the off command422 and/or the off command 424. As the lighting device 404 a may alreadybe in the off state, the lighting device 404 a may omit sending a stateupdate message to prevent additional traffic from being communicated inthe load control system. The hub device 406 may store the updated stateof the lighting device 404 b for future reference for generating controlinstructions and/or providing feedback to the remote control device 402.The hub device 406 may send a feedback message 428 to the remote controldevice 402 to identify the updated state of the lighting devices 404 a,404 b. The remote control device 402 may provide feedback to a user onthe status indicator 403 to indicate the updated state of the lightingdevices 404 a, 404 b indicated in the feedback message 428.

FIG. 5A is a flowchart depicting an example method 500 for controlling(e.g., synchronizing and/or toggling) lighting devices in a load controlsystem. The method 500 may be performed at one or more devices in theload control system. For example, the method 500, or portions thereof,may be performed at a remote control device, another controller device,a hub device, a master device, and/or another computing device. Themethod 500 may be performed by a remote control device (e.g., the remotecontrol device 116) to query for a current status of lighting devices inresponse to an actuation of a toggle actuator (e.g., the actuationportion 117 of the remote control device 116) and generate lightingcontrol commands in response to the identified status (e.g., theidentified statuses of all lighting devices as shown in FIG. 3A).

As shown in FIG. 5A, the method 500 may be executed periodically and/orin response to an actuation of an actuator (e.g., the actuation portion117) at 502. At 504, a determination may be made as to whether a toggleevent is identified. A toggle event may be identified at a remotecontrol device upon actuation of a portion of and/or a button on theremote control device (e.g., the actuation portion 117 of the remotecontrol device 116), or performing another toggle event at the remotecontrol device. The toggle event may be detected at the remote controldevice or another device as described herein. If a toggle event isunidentified, at 504, the method 500 may end, at 514.

If a toggle event is identified, at 504, a digital message may be sent,at 506, to a group or all of lighting devices requesting a currenton/off state. The request may be sent as a multicast message, orindividual unicast messages, to each of the lighting devices. Thelighting devices may return the current on/off state, which may bestored locally thereon.

At 508, a determination may be made as to whether the on/off state ofthe lighting devices is consistent. If the on/off state of the group oflighting devices is consistent, a digital message may be sent, at 510,to toggle the on/off state of the group of lighting devices. The digitalmessage may include the toggle command, or an “on” command or “off”command, to instruct the lighting devices to toggle the local on/offstate. The “on” command may be sent in response to an “off” state at thelighting devices. An “off” command may be sent in response to an “on”state at the lighting devices. The digital message for toggling theon/off state of the lighting devices may be sent as a multicast commandto the group of lighting devices, or as individual unicast messages toeach of the lighting devices.

If the on/off state across the group of lighting devices is determinedto be inconsistent at 508, a synchronization message may be sent to asubset of the lighting devices that are out of sync with the others at510. The synchronization message may be sent as a multicast message thatindicates the on/off state of the lighting devices identified forresponding to the command. For example, the synchronization message mayinstruct the lighting devices that are in the “on” state to turn “off.”The synchronization message may instruct the lighting devices that arein the “off” state to turn “on.” The synchronization message may be sentas a unicast message to each of the lighting devices to be synchronized.The command for changing the on/off state of the lighting devices thatare out of sync may be an “on” command, an “off” command, or a togglecommand (e.g., where the command is sent in a unicast message or in amulticast message identifying the types of devices to respond). Adetermination may be made as to the subset of lighting devices (e.g.,lighting devices in the “on” state or lighting devices in the “off”state) for being toggled for synchronization. The synchronizationmessage may be sent to the subset of lighting devices having the lessernumber of devices for which the on/off state is to be changed. A defaultsetting may be configured at the device configured to send thesynchronization message for “turning off” or “turning on” a subset oflighting devices with the synchronization message. After synchronizingthe on/off state of the group of lighting devices at 510, the method 500may exit at 514.

If the on/off state across the group of lighting devices is determinedto be consistent at 508, a digital message may be sent, at 512, totoggle the group of synchronized lighting devices, before the method 500exits at 514. After the method 500 exits at 514, the remote controldevice, or other battery-powered device, may enter a sleep mode. Theidentification of a toggle event at 504 may cause the remote controldevice, or other battery-powered device, to awake from a sleep mode orcontinue to stay awake for a period of time.

FIG. 5B is a flowchart depicting an example method 550 for controlling(e.g., synchronizing, toggling, and/or adjusting the intensity of)lighting devices in a load control system. The method 550 may beperformed at one or more devices in the load control system. Forexample, the method 550, or portions thereof, may be performed at aremote control device, another controller device, a hub device, a masterdevice, and/or another computing device. The method 550 may be performedby a remote control device (e.g., the remote control device 116) toquery for a current status of lighting devices in response to anactuation of an actuator (e.g., the actuation portion 117 and/or therotation portion 118 of the remote control device 116) and generatinglighting control commands in response to the identified status. Forexample, the remote control device 116 may be configured to generate alighting control command in response to the identified on/off state ofthe first lighting device from which the remote control device receivesa response (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C) or in response to theidentified lighting intensity of the first lighting device from whichthe remote control device receives a response (e.g., as shown in FIG.3D).

As shown in FIG. 5B, the method 550 may be executed periodically and/orin response to an actuation of an actuator (e.g., the actuation portion117 or the rotation portion 118) at 552. At 554, a digital message(e.g., query message) may be sent to a group or all of lighting devicesrequesting a current status of the lighting devices. The query messagemay be sent as a multicast message, or individual unicast messages, toeach of the lighting devices. The lighting devices may return thecurrent on/off state, which may be stored locally thereon. If a timeoutis reached at 558 before a response to the query message is received at556, one or more of the lighting devices may be marked as “missing” at559. For example, the status indicator 119 may be illuminated (e.g.,blinked or controlled to provide an animation) at 559. The method 550may end at 580.

When a response to the query message is received at 556 (e.g., the firstresponse to the query messages is received), a determination may bemade, at 560, as to whether a toggle actuation (e.g., a toggle event)has occurred. A toggle actuation may be identified at a remote controldevice upon actuation of a portion of and/or a button on the remotecontrol device (e.g., the actuation portion 117 of the remote controldevice 116), or performing another toggle event at the remote controldevice. The toggle actuation may be detected at the remote controldevice or another device as described herein. If a toggle actuation isidentified at 560 and the on/off state included in the response to thequery is the on state at 562, a digital message including an “off”command may be sent at 564, and the method may end at 580. If the on/offstate included in the response to the query is the off state at 562, adigital message including an “on” command may be sent at 566, and themethod may end at 580. The digital message including “on” and “off”commands may be sent as a multicast command to the group of lightingdevices, or as individual unicast messages to each of the lightingdevices.

If a toggle event is not identified at 560, a determination may be made,at 568, as to whether a raise actuation has occurred. A raise actuationmay be identified at a remote control device upon actuation of a portionof and/or an intensity adjustment actuator on the remote control device(e.g., the rotation portion 118 of the remote control device 116), orperforming another actuation of an intensity adjustment actuator at theremote control device. The raise actuation (e.g., a clockwise rotationof the rotation portion 118) may be detected at the remote controldevice or another device as described herein. If a raise actuation isidentified at 568, a digital message including a “move-to-level” commandmay be sent at 570. The digital message including “move-to-off” commandmay be sent as a multicast command to the group of lighting devices, oras individual unicast messages to each of the lighting devices. The“move-to-level” command may cause all of the lighting devices to go tothe intensity level included in the response to the query plus an offsetthat may be dependent upon the amount of rotation of the rotationportion 118. The intensity level that was transmitted to the lightingdevices in the “move-to-level” command (e.g., the intensity levelincluded in the response to the query plus the offset) may be stored atthe present intensity level of the lighting devices at 570. In addition,the status indicator 119 may be illuminated, at 570, to indicate thepresent intensity level of the lighting devices.

If the raise actuation is a continued raise actuation at 572, anotherdigital message including a “move-to-level” command may be sent at 570.The “move-to-level” command may cause all of the lighting devices to goto the present intensity level plus an offset that may be dependent uponthe amount of continued rotation of the rotation portion 118. Thepresent intensity level of the lighting devices may be updated again andthe status indicator 119 may be illuminated to indicate the presentintensity level (e.g., to track the present intensity level) at 570. Ifthe raise actuation is not a continued raise actuation at 572 (e.g.,when the rotation of the rotation portion 118 has ended), the method 550may end at 580.

If a raise event is not identified at 568, a determination may be made,at 574, as to whether a lower actuation has occurred. A lower actuationmay be identified at a remote control device upon actuation of a portionof and/or an intensity adjustment actuator on the remote control device(e.g., the rotation portion 118 of the remote control device 116), orperforming another actuation of an intensity adjustment actuator at theremote control device. The lower actuation (e.g., a counterclockwiserotation of the rotation portion 118) may be detected at the remotecontrol device or another device as described herein. If a loweractuation is identified at 574, a digital message including a“move-to-level” command may be sent at 576. The digital messageincluding “move-to-off” command may be sent as a multicast command tothe group of lighting devices, or as individual unicast messages to eachof the lighting devices. The “move-to-level” command may cause all ofthe lighting devices to go to the intensity level included in theresponse to the query minus an offset that may be dependent upon theamount of rotation of the rotation portion 118. The intensity level thatwas transmitted to the lighting devices in the “move-to-level” command(e.g., the intensity level included in the response to the query minusthe offset) may be stored at the present intensity level of the lightingdevices at 576. In addition, the status indicator 119 may beilluminated, at 576, to indicate the present intensity level of thelighting devices.

If the lower actuation is a continued lower actuation at 578, anotherdigital message including a “move-to-level” command may be sent at 570.The “move-to-level” command may cause all of the lighting devices to goto the present intensity level minus an offset that may be dependentupon the amount of continued rotation of the rotation portion 118. Thepresent intensity level of the lighting devices may be updated again andthe status indicator 119 may be illuminated to indicate the presentintensity level (e.g., to track the present intensity level) at 576. Ifthe lower actuation is not a continued lower actuation at 578 (e.g.,when the rotation of the rotation portion 118 has ended), the method 550may end at 580.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an example method 600 for controlling(e.g., synchronizing and/or toggling) lighting devices in a load controlsystem. The method 600 may be performed at one or more devices in theload control system. For example, the method 600, or portions thereof,may be performed at one or more lighting devices, a hub device, a masterdevice, and/or other load control devices. The method 600 may beperformed by a lighting device (e.g., the lighting devices 112 a, 112 b,122) to respond to queries for a current status and to control an on/offstate in response to commands (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C).

As shown in FIG. 6, the method 600 may be executed periodically and/orin response to receiving a digital message at 602. At 604, adetermination may be made as to whether a digital message has beenreceived requesting a local on/off state of a lighting device. Therequest for the local on/off state may be received from a controllerdevice, such as a remote control device, or a hub device. If a digitalmessage is unreceived, at 604, the method may proceed to 614. If adigital message is received, at 604, the local on/off state of alighting device may be identified, at 606. At 608, the local on/offstate may be sent in response to the request.

At 610, a determination may be made as to whether a synchronizationmessage has been received. The synchronization message may be receivedfrom a controller device, such as a remote control device, or a hubdevice in response to the local on/off state of the lighting device. Ifthe synchronization message is received, at 610, the on/off state of thelighting device may be toggled, at 612, and the method 600 may end at618. The synchronization message may include a toggle command, an “on”command, or an “off” command that instruct the lighting device to togglethe local on/off state.

If the synchronization message is not received, at 610, a determinationmay be made, at 614, as to whether a digital message has been receivedto toggle a local on/off state of the lighting device. If the digitalmessage has been received, at 614, to toggle the local on/off state ofthe lighting device, the on/off state of the lighting load may betoggled, at 616, and the method may end at 618. If the digital messagehas not been received, at 614, to toggle the local on/off state of thelighting device, the method 600 may end at 618.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an example method 700 for controlling(e.g., synchronizing and/or toggling) lighting devices in a load controlsystem. The method 700 may be performed at one or more devices in theload control system. For example, the method 700, or portions thereof,may be performed at a remote control device, another controller device,a hub device, a master device, and/or another computing device. Themethod 700 may be performed by a remote control device (e.g., the remotecontrol device 116) to generate lighting control commands in response toan actuation of a toggle actuator (e.g., the actuation portion 117 ofthe remote control device 116) using a pre-stored on/off state (e.g., asshown in FIGS. 2A and 2B).

As shown in FIG. 7, the method 700 may be executed periodically and/orin response to an actuation of an actuator (e.g., the actuation portion117) at 702. At 704, a determination may be made as to whether a toggleevent is identified. The toggle event may be detected at the remotecontrol device or another device as described herein. If a toggle eventis unidentified, at 704, the method 700 may end, at 714. The toggleevent may cause a device, such as a battery-powered remote controldevice or other battery powered device, to awaken from a sleep mode. Thedevice may enter the sleep mode after a predefined period of time hasexpired without receiving a toggle event or other user event on thedevice.

If a toggle event is identified, at 704, a digital message may be sentto a group of lighting devices, at 706. The digital message may be sentas a multicast message, or individual unicast messages, to each of thelighting devices. The digital message may include an “on” command or an“off” command. The “on” command or the “off” command may be a pre-storedcommand stored at the sending device. For example, a next state command(e.g., “on” command or “off” command) may be maintained in storage at acontroller device for being sent in response to the identification ofthe next toggle event.

At 708, a determination may be made as to whether a state update messagehas been received from the lighting devices. A state update message maybe received from lighting devices that update an on/off state inresponse to an “on” command or an “off” command. The state updatemessage may be received in response to the command sent at 706, or asubsequent polling request. Polling requests for the current on/offstate may be sent in intervals a predefined period of time after thecommand is sent at 706. If a state update message is unreceived at 708(e.g., after a predefined period of time), an opposite on/off commandthan the pre-stored command may be sent, at 710. For example, if thepre-stored command sent at 706 was an “on” command, an “off” command maybe sent at 710, or vice versa. The opposite on/off command may be sentat 710 to cause the on/off state of the lighting devices to be toggled,as the on/off state of the lighting devices may go unchanged in responseto the previous digital message sent at 706. As a state update messagefailed to be received at 708, the lighting devices may already be in thestate indicated in the command. The method 700 may end at 714.

If a state update message is received at 708 (e.g., within a predefinedperiod of time), it may be determined that the lighting devices havebeen toggled. The pre-stored on/off command sent at 706 may act as asynchronization message to change the on/off state of a subset of thelighting devices, while other lighting devices may already be in thestate indicated in the command. In another example, the digital messagesent at 706 may toggle the entire group of lighting devices. As thelighting devices in the group have changed in on/off state in responseto the pre-stored command, another on/off command may be generated andpre-stored at 712, and the method may end at 714. The pre-stored commandmay be flipped from the prior on/off command sent to at least a subsetof the lighting devices. The pre-stored command may be the oppositeon/off command of the pre-stored command sent at 706. The pre-storedcommand may be the same command sent at 706 (e.g., when the oppositeon/off command has already been sent at 710). The pre-stored command maybe stored in anticipation of the lighting devices remaining in the sameon/off state until the next command sent from the device. In an example,a device, such as a battery-powered remote control device or otherbattery powered device, may pre-store the on/off command prior toentering a sleep mode and send the pre-stored command upon identifying atoggle event, at 704.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart depicting an example method 800 for controlling(e.g., synchronizing and/or toggling) lighting devices in a load controlsystem. The method 800 may be performed at one or more devices in theload control system. For example, the method 800, or portions thereof,may be performed at a remote control device, another controller device,a hub device, and/or another computing device. The method 800 may beperformed by a remote control device (e.g., the remote control device116) to generate lighting control commands in response to an actuationof a toggle actuator (e.g., the actuation portion 117 of the remotecontrol device 116) using a default on/off state (e.g., as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B).

As shown in FIG. 8, the method 800 may be executed periodically and/orin response to an actuation of an actuator (e.g., the actuation portion117) at 802. At 804, a determination may be made as to whether a toggleevent is identified. The toggle event may be detected at the remotecontrol device or another device as described herein. If a toggle eventis unidentified (e.g., after a predefined period of time), at 804, themethod 800 may end, at 812. The toggle event may cause a device, such asa battery-powered remote control device or other battery powered device,to awaken from a sleep mode. The device may enter the sleep mode after apredefined period of time has expired without receiving a toggle eventor other user event on the device.

If a toggle event is identified, at 804, a digital message may be sentto a group of lighting devices, at 806. The digital message may be sentas a multicast message, or individual unicast messages, to each of thelighting devices. The digital message may include an “on” command or an“off” command. The command may be a default “on” command or a default“off” command that may be sent in response to each identification of atoggle event. For example, a default state command (e.g., “on” commandor “off” command) may be maintained in storage for being sent inresponse to the identification of the each toggle event (e.g., uponawakening from a sleep mode).

At 808, a determination may be made as to whether a state update messagehas been received from the lighting devices. A state update message maybe received from lighting devices that update an on/off state inresponse to an “on” command or an “off” command. The state updatemessage may be received in response to the command sent at 806, or asubsequent polling request. Polling requests for the current on/offstate may be sent in intervals a predefined period of time after thecommand is sent at 806. If a state update message is unreceived at 808(e.g., after a predefined period of time), an opposite on/off commandthan the default command may be sent, at 810, and the method 800 may endat 812. For example, if the default command sent at 806 was an “on”command, an “off” command may be sent at 810, or vice versa. Theopposite on/off command may be sent at 810 to cause a change to theon/off state of the lighting devices, as the on/off state of thelighting devices may go unchanged in response to the previous digitalmessage sent at 806. As a state update message failed to be received at808, the lighting devices may already be in the state indicated in thecommand. If a state update message is received at 808 (e.g., within apredefined period of time), the method 800 may end at 812. If a toggleevent is not identified at 804, the device may enter the sleep mode andthe method 800 may end at 812.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart depicting an example method 900 for controlling(e.g., synchronizing and toggling) lighting devices and/or sending stateupdate messages in a load control system. The method 900 may beperformed at one or more devices in the load control system. Forexample, the method 900, or portions thereof, may be performed at one ormore lighting devices, a hub device, and/or other load control devices.The method 900 may be performed by a lighting device (e.g., the lightingdevices 112 a, 112 b, 122) for controlling an on/off state in responseto commands and sending status update messages (e.g., as shown in FIGS.2A-2B).

As shown in FIG. 9, the method 900 may be executed periodically and/orin response to receiving a digital message at 902. At 904, adetermination may be made as to whether a digital message has beenreceived that includes an on/off command (e.g., an “on” command or an“off” command) for a lighting device. The on/off command may be receivedfrom a control device, such as a remote control device, or a hub device.If a digital message is unreceived, at 904, the method may end at 916.If a digital message is received, at 904, the local on/off state of alighting device may be identified, at 906. At 908, the local on/offstate may be compared to the on/off command to determine whether thelocal on/off state matches the state indicated in the on/off command. Ifthe local on/off state matches the state indicated in the on/offcommand, the method 900 may end at 916. If the local on/off state failsto match the state indicated in the on/off command, the on/off state atthe lighting device may be toggled, at 910.

At 912, a determination may be made as to whether the sending devicefrom which the digital message was received at 904 is subscribed forreceiving state update messages. The lighting device may have stored alist of identifiers of the devices that are subscribed for receivingstate update messages. If the sending device is subscribed for stateupdate messages, a state update message may be sent (e.g., via unicastmessages), at 914, to the device from which the digital message wasreceived at 904. The state update message may be sent, at 914, inresponse to a polling request, or without receiving the polling request.The method 900 may end at 916.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart depicting an example method 1000 forsynchronizing and/or toggling lighting devices in a load control system.The method 1000 may be performed at one or more devices in the loadcontrol system. For example, the method 1000, or portions thereof, maybe performed at a hub device and/or another master device. The othermaster device may be a remote control device, a lighting device, anothercontrol device, and/or another computing device.

As shown in FIG. 10, the method 1000 may be executed periodically and/orin response to receiving a digital message at 1002. At 1006, adetermination may be made as to whether there has been a change in theon/off state of the lighting devices. A change in state may beidentified, at 1006, when a digital message is sent between controldevices (e.g., such as a remote control device and a lighting device).The digital message may be relayed through the hub device or othermaster device. The hub device or other master device may listen for thedigital messages otherwise communicated in the load control system(e.g., directly between control devices or otherwise communicated). Thehub device or other master device may be subscribed to and/or receivestate update messages from lighting devices that change an on/off state,which may enable updated on/off states to be identified from associateddevices recognized by the hub device or other master device andunassociated devices that may be unrecognized by the hub device or othermaster device. The hub device or other master device may also query thelighting devices for their current on/off state or determine the currenton/off state by listening to messages communicated between controldevices in the load control system. The query message may be sent as amulticast message, or individual unicast messages, to each of thelighting devices.

If a change in the on/off state of a lighting device is identified, at1006, the updated on/off state may be maintained, at 1008. A subset(e.g., one or more) of the lighting devices may be toggled. The togglingon the subset of lighting devices may be performed by a control devicethat is uncommon to the group of lighting devices capable of beingcontrolled by a common control device. The hub device or other masterdevice may have stored thereon the associated control devices for thegroup of lighting devices and/or the associated control devices for asubset of the lighting devices. For example, a group of lighting devicesmay be associated with a common remote control device, while a subset ofthe group may be associated with another remote control device or anetwork device. The subset of lighting devices may be toggled out ofsync with the other lighting devices in the group. The hub device orother master device may maintain the on/off state of each of thelighting devices in the group and may know the devices that are out ofsync.

At 1010, a determination may be made as to whether an indication of atoggle event is received. A control device, such as a remote controldevice, may identify a toggle event and may send a digital message tothe hub device or other master device. The digital message may include atoggle command, an “on” command, an “off” command, or another indicationof a toggle event. If an indication of a toggle event is unreceived, at1010, the method 1000 may end, at 1020.

If an indication of a toggle event is received, at 1010, an on/off stateof the lighting devices may be identified (e.g., retrieved from memory)at 1012. The hub device or other master device may perform a lookup inmemory of the on/off state of each of the lighting devices associatedwith the control device from which the indication of the toggle event isreceived. At 1014, a determination may be made as to whether the on/offstate of the lighting devices is consistent. If the on/off state of thegroup of lighting devices is consistent, a digital message may be sent,at 1018, to toggle the on/off state of the group of lighting devices,and the method 1000 may end at 1020. The digital message may include thetoggle command, or an “on” command or “off” command, to instruct thelighting devices associated with the control device from which theindication of the toggle event was received to toggle the local on/offstate. The “on” command may be sent in response to an “off” state at thelighting devices. An “off” command may be sent in response to an “on”state at the lighting devices. The digital message for toggling theon/off state of the lighting devices may be sent as a multicast commandto the group of lighting devices, or as individual unicast messages toeach of the lighting devices.

If the on/off state across the group of lighting devices is determinedto be inconsistent, at 1014, a synchronization message may be sent at1016 to a subset of the lighting devices that are out of sync with theothers, and the method 1000 may end at 1020. The synchronization messagemay be sent as a multicast message that indicates the on/off state ofthe lighting devices identified for responding to the command. Forexample, the synchronization message may instruct the lighting devicesthat are in the “on” state to turn “off.” The synchronization messagemay instruct the lighting devices that are in the “off” state to turn“on.” The synchronization message may be sent as a unicast message toeach of the lighting devices to be synchronized. The hub device or othermaster device may send the unicast message to each of the lightingdevices associated with the control device from which the indication ofa toggle event was received and that has an on/off state that isdetermined to be out of sync. The command for changing the on/off stateof the lighting devices that are out of sync may be an “on” command, an“off command, or a toggle command (e.g., where the command is sent in aunicast message or in a multicast message identifying the types ofdevices to respond).

A determination may be made by the hub device or other master device asto the subset of lighting devices (e.g., lighting devices in the “on”state or lighting devices in the “off” state) for being toggled forsynchronization. The synchronization message may be sent to the subsetof lighting devices having the lesser number of devices for which theon/off state is to be changed. A default setting may be configured atthe device configured to send the synchronization message for “turningoff” or “turning on” a subset of lighting devices with thesynchronization message.

The response to the synchronization message may be a state updatemessage. The lighting devices that change an on/off state in response toan “on” command or an “off” command may send a state update message tothe hub device or other master device to indicate the change in on/offstate. The hub device or other master device may be subscribed toreceiving state update messages at the associated lighting devices. Thehub device or other master device may receive the state update messagefrom the lighting devices that change state in response to the received“on” command or the received “off” command. The lighting devices thatfail to change the on/off state in response to the command from the hubdevice or other master device may be unresponsive. The hub device orother master device may store the updated state and/or confirm the stateof the unresponsive devices. The hub device or other master device may,alternatively, store the updated state of the lighting device aftersending the command.

FIGS. 11A-11D show front views of a remote control device 1102 with astatus indicator 1103 that may be illuminated to provide the feedbackdescribed herein. As shown in FIG. 11A, the remote control device 1102may be configured to provide the feedback after the remote controldevice 1102 has been activated. For example, the remote control device1102 may be configured to provide the feedback upon detecting a usernear the control device and/or upon a user interface event beingdetected on a user interface of the remote control device 1102. The userinterface event may be an actuation of an actuation portion 1104 or arotation of a rotation portion 1106. The feedback may indicate that theremote control device 1102 is transmitting wireless communicationsignals (e.g., RF signals) in response to the activation. The remotecontrol device 1102 may keep the status indicator 1103 illuminated forthe duration of the event that triggered the feedback (e.g., while therotation portion 1106 is being rotated). The remote control device 1102may be configured to continue to illuminate the status indicator 1103for a few seconds (e.g., 1-2 seconds) after the event, and then turn offthe status indicator 1103 to conserve battery life.

The status indicator 1103 may be unlit (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11A) toprovide feedback that the load control devices associated therewith areoff. The LEDs in the status indicator 1103 may be turned on to a fullintensity (e.g., as shown in FIG. 11B) when the load control devicesassociated therewith are on or a user interface event is detected. Forexample, the load control devices may be turned on in response to atoggle event recognized by actuating the actuation portion 1104 orrotating the rotation portion 1106. The LEDs in the status indicator1103 may be turned on to a full intensity to reflect the level ofintensity of the loads controlled by a load control device. For example,the status indicator 1103 may reflect a high-end dimming level forlights, a fully-open or fully-closed position for shades, a full volumelevel for audio devices, a full speed for a fan, etc. When the actuationportion 1104 is pressed, the status indicator 1103 may blink between thetwo states shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B to provide feedback that theactuation portion 1104 was pressed and the remote control device 1102 isworking.

The status indicator 1103 may be illuminated to provide the feedback indifferent manners (e.g., different intensities and/or colors) when therotation portion 1106 is being rotated. For example, as shown in FIG.11A, the status indicator 1103 may be fully illuminated to andmaintained at a maximum light bar intensity L_(LB-MAX) (e.g., 100%) whenthe rotation portion 1106 is being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise(e.g., to increase or decrease the intensity of lighting loads, shadelevels, fan speed, volume, etc.) to provide simple feedback. As anotherexample shown in FIG. 11C, for example, the status indicator 1103 may beilluminated to a first mid-level light bar intensity L_(LB-MID1) (e.g.,80%) that is less than the maximum light bar intensity L_(LB-MAX) whenthe rotation portion 1106 is being rotated clockwise (e.g., to raise theintensity of lighting load loads, shade levels, fan speed, volume, etc.)to provide simple feedback that the rotation portion 1106 is beingrotated. As shown in FIG. 11D, for example, the status indicator 1103may be illuminated to a second mid-level light bar intensity L_(LB-MID2)(e.g., 40%) that is less than the first mid-level light bar intensityL_(LB-MID1) (and thus less than the maximum light bar intensityL_(LB-MAX)) when the rotation portion 1106 is being rotatedcounterclockwise (e.g., to lower the intensity of the lighting loads,shade level, volume, etc.) to provide simple feedback that the rotationportion 1106 is being rotated.

Similarly, the status indicator 1103 may be illuminated with differentcolors to indicate different user inputs and/or the status of electricalloads or load control devices. For example, the status indicator 1103may be illuminated with different colors to indicate that the intensityof a lighting load is being raised or lowered, a shade level is beingraised or lowered, and/or a volume level is being raised or lowered. Thestatus indicator 1103 may be illuminated with a red color when alighting intensity is being raised and with a blue color when thelighting intensity is being lowered.

The status indicator 1103 may be illuminated in response to an actuationof the actuation portion 1104 to indicate that an electric load is beingtoggled on or off. For example, the status indicator 1103 may beilluminated to display an animation (e.g., a heartbeat animation) when alighting load is being toggled on or off to provide simple feedback thatthe actuation portion 1104 has been actuated. FIG. 12 shows an exampleplot of the intensity of the status indicator 1103 with respect to timein order to generate the animation. For example, the intensity of thestatus indicator 1103 may be quickly increased to a first intensity 1202(e.g., the first mid-level light bar intensity L_(LB-MID1) as shown inFIG. 11C), quickly decreased to a second intensity 1204 (e.g., thesecond mid-level light bar intensity L_(LB-MID2) as shown in FIG. 11D),quickly increased to a third intensity 1206 (e.g., the maximum light barintensity L_(LB-MAX) as shown in FIG. 11B), and then quickly turned off.When the remote control device 1102 is operating in a spin-to-off mode,the status indicator 1103 may be illuminated to display an animation(e.g., the heartbeat animation described herein) when the intensity ofthe lighting load has reached a minimum intensity and is being turnedoff.

The status indicator 1103 may be illuminated to further indicate anamount of power being supplied to an electrical load. For example,instead of illuminating the entire light bar of the status indicator1103, the remote control device 1102 may illuminate a portion of thestatus indicator 1103, and adjust the length of the illuminated portionin accordance with control applied by a user. For example, when thelight bar of the status indicator 1103 is configured to have a circularshape, the illuminated portion may expand or contract around thecircumference of the light bar in response to user interface eventsand/or adjustments in the status of electrical loads. The remote controldevice 1102 may adjust the intensity of the LED that is illuminating anend point of the illuminated portion of the status indicator 1103 toprovide adjustment of the end point of the illuminated portion as isdescribed in greater detail herein.

The remote control device 1102 may be configured to illuminate multipleportions of the status indicator 1103 to provide feedback. The multipleportions may be illuminated to provide different forms of animation onthe status indicator 1103. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, segments ofthe status indicator 1103 (e.g., having one or more LEDs to illuminateeach segment) may be illuminated for predefined periods of time at eachillumination configuration and the animation may change from oneillumination configuration to the next at a constant rate when therotation portion 1106 is being rotated (e.g., for simple feedback). Thesegments may be illuminated to indicate the direction of the rotation ofthe rotation portion 1106, or the change in status of the electricalload. The segments may be illuminated from left to right through theillumination configurations shown in FIG. 13 (e.g., such that thesegments move in an upwards direction from the bottom to the top of thestatus indicator 1103) to show an increase in the intensity of lightingloads, shade levels, volume, etc. The animation may repeat as long asthe rotation portion 1106 is rotating. The segments may be illuminatedfrom right to left through the illumination configurations shown in FIG.13 (e.g., such that the segments move in a downward direction from thetop to the bottom of the status indicator 1103) to show a decrease inthe intensity of lighting loads, shade levels, fan speed, volume, etc.The segments may iterate in a predefined sequence to display ananimation and the sequence may be repeated to indicate the rotation ofthe rotation portion 1106 and/or the continued change in status of theelectrical load. Though a certain number of segments are shown, anothernumber of segments and/or colors may be illuminated.

FIG. 14 shows another example animation that may be displayed via thestatus indicator 1103 of the remote control device 1102. As shown inFIG. 14, a single segment of the status indicator 1103 (e.g., having oneor more LEDs to illuminate the segment) may be illuminated forpredefined periods of time at each illumination configuration and theanimation may change from one illumination configuration to the next ata constant rate when the rotation portion 1106 is being rotated (e.g.,for simple feedback). The single segment may be illuminated in aclockwise or counterclockwise direction to indicate the direction of therotation of the rotation portion 1106 or the change in the status of theelectrical load. The single segment may be illuminated in a clockwisemotion to show an increase in the intensity of lighting loads, shadelevels, fan speed, volume, etc. (e.g., while rotating the rotationportion 1106 clockwise to increase the intensity). The single segmentmay be illuminated in a counterclockwise motion to show a decrease inthe intensity of lighting loads, shade levels, fan speed, volume, etc.(e.g., while rotating the rotation portion 1106 counterclockwise todecrease the intensity). The single segment may iterate in a predefinedsequence to display an animation and the sequence may be repeated toindicate the rotation of the rotation portion 1106 and/or the continuedchange in status of the electrical load. Though a single segment isshown, another number of segments and/or colors may be illuminated.

A single segment of the status indicator 1103 may be illuminated asshown in FIG. 14 to provide simple feedback in response to an actuationof the actuation portion 1104. For example, the single segment of thestatus indicator 1103 may be illuminated for predefined periods of timeat each illumination configuration shown in FIG. 14 and the animationmay change from one illumination configuration to the next at a ratethat increases with respect to time in response to an actuation of theactuation portion 1104 to turn on an electrical load (e.g., such as aceiling fan) and at a rate that decreases with respect to time inresponse to an actuation of the actuation portion 1104 to turn off theelectrical load.

FIG. 15 shows another example animation that may be displayed via thestatus indicator 1103 of the remote control device 1102. As shown inFIG. 15, segments of the status indicator 1103 including one or moreLEDs may be illuminated from the left side of the status indicator 1103to the right side of the status indicator 1103, or vice versa. Thesegments of the status indicator 1103 may be illuminated from side toside in response to a rotation of the rotation portion 1106, anactuation of the actuation portion 1104, and/or the status of anelectrical load. For example, the segments of the status indicator 1103may be illuminated from the left side to the right side to providesimple feedback to indicate an actuation of the actuation portion 1104to play a song, or that the song is currently playing, on an audiodevice. The segments may also, or alternatively, be illuminated from theleft side to the right side to indicate a fan speed (e.g., side to sideillumination increases in speed as fan speed increases, and decreases asfan speed decreases).

The animation shown in FIG. 15 may begin as a single segment on the leftor right side of the status indicator 1103. The single segment may beilluminated for a predefined period of time and split into two segmentsthat move to the opposing side of the status indicator 1103. Each pairof segments may be illuminated together for a predefined period of timebefore the next segment is illuminated. The two segments may then cometogether as a single segment on the opposite side of the statusindicator 1103. The animation shown in FIG. 15 may repeat a few timesuntil the remote control device 1102 times out and turns off the statusindicator 1103. The animation may also repeat so long as the status ofthe electrical load remains the same, or until the actuation portion1104 is actuated or the rotation portion 1106 stops rotating. Though acertain number of segments are shown, another number of segments and/orcolors may be illuminated.

FIG. 16 shows another example animation that may be displayed via thestatus indicator 1103 of the remote control device 1102. As shown inFIG. 15, segments of the status indicator 1103 including one or moreLEDs may be illuminated on the left side and the right side of thestatus indicator 1103. The segments on the left and right side of thestatus indicator 1103 may be illuminated together for a period of timeand then turn off for a period of time. The animation shown in FIG. 16may repeat a few times until the remote control device 1102 times outand turns off the status indicator 1103. The animation may also berepeated until a user interface event is received on the remote controldevice 1102, or a change in status is identified at an electrical loadcontrolled by the remote control device 1102. For example, the remotecontrol device 1102 may provide the animation shown in FIG. 16 on thestatus indicator 1103 to provide simple feedback in response to anactuation of the actuation portion 1104 to pause the music being playedby an audio device. Though a certain number of segments are shown,another number of segments and/or colors may be illuminated.

The remote control device 1102 may be configured to illuminate differentportions of the status indicator 1103 to provide advanced feedback, forexample, of the intensity of electrical loads controlled by the remotecontrol device 1102.

FIG. 17 shows a front view of the remote control device 1102 when thestatus indicator 1103 is illuminated to expand and contract in onedirection to provide feedback (e.g., advanced feedback) that indicatesthe intensity of an electrical load. For example, the sequence shown inFIG. 17 may be used to illustrate an intensity level of a lighting loador of the volume of an audio device as the intensity level increases(e.g., moving from left to right through the illumination configurationsshown in FIG. 17) or decreases (e.g., moving from right to left throughthe illumination configurations shown in FIG. 17).

The remote control device 1102 may include a plurality of light sources(e.g., LEDs) configured to illuminate the status indicator 1103. Inresponse to an actuation of the remote control device 1102 to adjust theintensity level of the lighting load or the volume of the audio device,the remote control device 1102 may illuminate a subset of the lightsources such that a portion 1105 of the status indicator 1103 isilluminated to indicate the intensity level corresponding to theactuation. The illuminated portion 1105 may begin at a starting point1105A (e.g., at the bottom of the status indicator 1103 as shown in FIG.17) and end at an end point 1105B (e.g., along the circumference of thestatus indicator 1103). The length and/or intensity of the illuminatedportion 1105 may be indicative of the intensity level of a lighting loador of a volume of an audio device. The subset of light sources may beilluminated uniformly to a common intensity. Alternatively, the subsetof light sources may be illuminated to different intensities. Forexample, the remote control device 1102 may illuminate the end point1105B of the illuminated portion 1105 of the status indicator 1103 to ahigher intensity than the rest of the illuminated portion and maydecrease the intensity of the illuminated portion towards the startingpoint 1105A. For example, the illuminated portion 1105 of the statusindicator 1103 may display a gradient from the brightest intensity atthe end point 1105B to the dimmest intensity at the starting point1105A. This way, a user may still receive feedback based on the lengthof the illuminated portion, but less battery power may be consumed toprovide the feedback. Alternatively, the dimmest intensity may bebetween the end point 1105B and the starting point 1105A.

To illustrate, the remote control device 1102 may be configured toincrease the length of the illuminated portion 1105 (e.g., cause the endpoint 1105B of the illuminated portion to move in a clockwise directionas shown in FIG. 17) when the intensity level of the lighting load or ofthe volume of the audio device is being raised. The remote controldevice 1102 may be configured to decrease the length of the illuminatedportion 1105 (e.g., cause the end point 1105B of the illuminate portionto move in a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 17) when theintensity level of the lighting load or of the volume of the audiodevice is being lowered. This way, the illuminated portion 1105 mayexpand and contract as the intensity level of the lighting load or ofthe volume of the audio device is adjusted.

The illuminated portion 1105 may increase and decrease in size graduallyor step between predefined segments that indicate a given intensitylevel. For example, the status indicator 1103 may step betweenilluminated segments to indicate that the present intensity of alighting load is approximately 30%, approximately 60%, and approximately90%, though the status indicator may be illuminated at any number ofsteps having a difference that is equivalent or inequivalent. When thelighting load or the volume is at a full intensity level (e.g.,approximately full intensity level), the entire status indicator 1103may be illuminated. When the remote control device 1102 is configured tocontrol multiple lighting loads or audio devices, and set respectiveintensity levels of the multiple loads to different values, the remotecontrol device 1102 may be configured to illuminate the status indicator1103 to indicate an average of the respective intensity levels of theloads, to indicate the intensity level of a lighting load or audiodevice nearest to the remote control device 1102, and/or the like.

In some examples, the remote control device 1102 may be configured toadjust the intensity of the light source illuminating the end point1105B of the illuminated portion 1105 to provide fine-tune adjustment ofthe position of the end point 1105B. For example, the remote controldevice 1102 may adjust the intensity of the light source thatilluminates the end point 1105B between 1% and 100% to provide fine-tuneadjustment of the position of the end point 1105B. To illustrate, theremote control device 1102 may illuminate the status indicator 1103 to alength that indicates the intensity level of the lighting load or of thevolume of the audio device controlled by the remote control device 1102is at approximately 30%. At that point, the intensity of the lightsource illuminating the end point 1105B may be set at 1%. As theintensity level of the lighting load or of the volume of the audiodevice is further adjusted toward 40%, the remote control device 1102may adjust the intensity of the end point 1105B between 1% and 100% withfiner granularity to correspond to respective intermediate intensitylevels that are between 30% and 40%. After the intensity level of thelighting load or of the volume of the audio device reaches 40%, theremote control device 1102 may illuminate an additional light source(e.g., to 1% intensity) to cause the length of the illuminated portion1105 to expand. The remote control device 1102 may then adjust theintensity of the additional light source that is now illuminating theend point 1105B between 1% and 100% as the intensity of the lightingload is being tuned towards a next level (e.g., 50%).

The remote control device 1102 may be configured to indicate alast-known intensity of the lighting load or of the volume of the audiodevice upon receiving a user interface event to turn on the lightingload or audio device, respectively. For example, before the lightingload or audio device was turned off, the remote control device 1102 maystore the intensity level in a memory of the remote control device 1102while quickly decreasing the length of the illuminated portion 1105 fromthe end point 1105B to the starting point 1105A. Subsequently, when theremote control device 1102 is actuated to turn the lighting load oraudio device back on, the remote control device 1102 may illuminate thestatus indicator 1103 to quickly increase the length of the illuminatedportion 1105 to correspond to the previously stored intensity level.

In the examples described herein, the display of the illuminated portion1105 may be obstructed by a user's fingers that are manipulating theremote control device 1102. For instance, as the user rotates therotation portion 1106 of the remote control device 1102 to adjust theintensity level of the lighting load or of the volume of the audiodevice, the user's hand may block the leading edge (e.g., the end point1105B) of the illuminated portion 1105. As a result, the user may not beable to determine whether the illuminated portion is expanding andcontracting in response to the rotational movement of the rotationportion 1106, and whether the intensity level of the electrical load isbeing adjusted properly.

The remote control device 1102 may control the manner in which thestatus indicator 1103 is illuminated to reduce the likelihood that auser's action may interfere with the feedback indication. For example,the remote control device 1102 may be configured to cause the end point1105B of the illuminated portion 1105 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 17) tomove at a faster or slower angular speed than that of the rotationportion 1106 when the rotation portion is rotated. To illustrate, a usermay, within a unit of time, rotate the rotation portion 1106 by xdegrees in order to adjust the intensity (e.g., raise or lower) of thelighting load or of the volume of the audio device. In response, theremote control device 1102 may, within the same unit of time, cause theend point 1105B of the illuminated portion 1105 to move by x+y or x−ydegrees (e.g., in clockwise or counterclockwise direction) such that theleading edge of the illuminated portion 1105 represented by the endpoint 1105B may move faster than (e.g., ahead of) or slower than (e.g.,lagging behind) the user's hand. This way, despite obstruction by auser's hand, the user may still notice changes in the illuminatedportion 1105 to know that control is being applied properly.

When the end point 1105B of the illuminated portion 1105 is configuredto move faster than (e.g., ahead of) the rotation portion 1106, theremote control device 1102 may scale the full intensity range of thelighting load or of the volume of the audio device over less than a360-degree rotation of the rotation portion 1106 so that the illuminatedportion 1105 may expand or contract over the entire circumference ofstatus indicator 1103 as the intensity level of the lighting load or ofthe volume of the audio device is being adjusted between the low-end andhigh-end of an intensity range. For example, the remote control device1102 may be configured to scale the full intensity range of the lightingload or of the volume of the audio device over a 210-degree rotation ofthe rotation portion 1106, such that when a rotational movement of therotation portion 1106 reaches 210 degrees, the illuminated portion 1105may cover the entire circumference of the status indicator 1103 (e.g.,360 degrees) to indicate that the intensity level of the lighting loador of the volume of the audio device has reached a maximum intensity.Such a technique may also reduce the amount of rotation used to adjustthe intensity level of the lighting load or of the volume of the audiodevice between the low-end and the high-end. For example, the user maybe able to adjust the intensity level over a greater range with lesswrist movement.

The remote control device 1102 may be configured to illuminate a portionof the status indicator 1103 and cause the length of the illuminatedportion 1105 to expand and contract (e.g., simultaneously from both endpoints 1105A, 1105B of the illuminated portion 1105) to indicate theintensity level of the lighting load or of the volume of an audiodevice. The illuminated portion may be illuminated uniformly to a commonintensity. Alternatively, different sections of the illuminated portionmay be illuminated to different intensities. For example, the end point1105B of the illuminated portion of the status indicator 1105 may beilluminated to a higher intensity than the rest of the illuminatedportion and the intensity of the illuminated portion 1105 may bedecreased towards the starting point 1105A. This way, a user may stillreceive feedback based on the length of the illuminated portion, butless battery power may be consumed to provide the feedback.

FIG. 18 shows example front views of the remote control device 1102 whenan illuminated portion 1105 of the status indicator 1103 is controlledto expand and contract from both end points 1105A, 1105B of theilluminated portion 1105 to provide feedback (e.g., advanced feedback)that indicates the intensity of an electrical load. For example, thesequence shown in FIG. 18 may be used to illustrate an intensity levelof a lighting load or of the volume of an audio device as the intensitylevel increases (e.g., moving from left to right through theillumination configurations shown in FIG. 18) or decreases (e.g., movingfrom right to left through the illumination configurations shown in FIG.18).

As shown in FIG. 18, when an intensity adjustment actuator of the remotecontrol device 1102 (e.g., the rotation portion 1106) is actuated toadjust the intensity levels of the lighting devices, the statusindicator 1103 may be illuminated to provide advanced feedback thatindicates the intensity level to which the remote control device iscontrolling the lighting devices. When the remote control device 1102 ismanipulated to raise the intensity level of the lighting load or thevolume (e.g., via a rotation of the rotation portion 1106), the remotecontrol device 1102 may cause end points 1105A, 1105B of the illuminatedportion 1105 to move (e.g., simultaneously) in respective clockwise andcounterclockwise directions such that the length of the illuminatedportion 1105 is extended to indicate that the intensity level is beingraised. Similarly, when the remote control device 1102 is manipulated tolower the intensity level of the lighting load or of the volume of anaudio device (e.g., via a rotation of the rotation portion 1106), theremote control device 1102 may cause end points 1105A, 1105B of theilluminated portion 1105 to move (e.g., simultaneously) in respectivecounterclockwise and clockwise directions such that the length of theilluminated portion 1105 is shortened to indicate that the intensitylevel is being lowered.

The illuminated portion 1105 may increase and decrease in size graduallyor step between predefined segments that indicate a given intensitylevel. For example, the status indicator 1103 may step betweenilluminated segments to indicate that the present intensity of alighting load is approximately 30%, approximately 60%, and approximately90%, though the status indicator may be illuminated at any number ofsteps having a difference that is equivalent or inequivalent. When theelectrical load is at a full intensity level (e.g., approximately fulllighting intensity or full volume level), the end points 1105A, 1105Bmay meet at the top of the status indicator 1103, such that the statusindicator 1103 is fully illuminated. The amount and/or speed of movementat end points 1105A, 1105B may be the same or may be different. Theilluminated portion 1105 may be centered around a vertical axis of theremote control device 1102 when the control device is installed. Assuch, the illuminated portion 1105 may provide multiple intensityindications (e.g., on both the left half and the right half of thestatus indicator 1103). Using such a mechanism, the likelihood of auser's hand obstructing the feedback indication may be reduced.

In the example shown in FIG. 18, when the remote control device 1102 isactuated (e.g., via the actuation portion 1104) to turn the electricalload on or off, the status indicator 1103 may be illuminated to provideadvanced feedback that indicates the intensity level to which thelighting devices are being turned on or from which the lighting devicesare being turned off. When the actuation portion 1104 of the remotecontrol device 1102 is actuated to turn the electrical load on, thestatus indicator 1103 may be illuminated (e.g., as an animation) toquickly increase the length of the illuminated portion 1105 (e.g., fromboth end points 1105A, 1105B) to correspond to a last-known intensitylevel of the electrical load before the electrical load was turned off.The remote control device 1102 may be configured to store the last-knownintensity level of a lighting load or of a volume of an audio device inmemory before the lighting load or audio device is turned off. When theactuation portion 1104 of the remote control device 1102 is actuated toturn an electrical load off, the status indicator 1103 may be controlled(e.g., as an animation) to quickly decrease the length of theilluminated portion 1105 (e.g., from both end points 1105A, 1105B towardthe center of the illuminated portion 1105) to indicate that theelectrical load is being turned off. Prior to decreasing the length ofthe illuminated portion 1105, the control device 1102 may be configuredto store the intensity level of a lighting load or of a volume of anaudio device in memory.

FIG. 19 shows a front view of the remote control device 1102 when thestatus indicator 1103 is illuminated to provide feedback (e.g., advancedfeedback) that indicates different settings for electrical loads. Forexample, the illuminations shown in FIG. 19 may be used to illustratedifferent fan speeds for a motor load (such as a ceiling fan), presetsfor electrical loads (e.g., preset intensity levels for lighting loads),and selected scenes (e.g., presets including multiple electrical loads)of a load control system.

In response to an actuation of the actuation portion 1104 or a rotationof the rotation portion 1106, the remote control device 1102 may turn ona fan or initiate a first preset. The remote control device 1102 mayilluminate a segment of the status indicator 1103 (e.g., at the bottomof the remote control device 1102) to indicate a first fan speed orfirst preset. In response to another actuation of the actuation portion1104 or a rotation of the rotation portion 1106 (e.g., for a predefineddistance or period of time), the remote control device 1102 may adjustthe fan speed or preset. The remote control device 1102 may illuminateanother segment of the status indicator 1103 (e.g., a next segment in aclockwise motion) to indicate a second fan speed or second preset.Different segments may continue to be illuminated in a clockwise manneras the fan speed increases or as presets change. Different segments maybe illuminated in a counterclockwise manner as the fan speed decreasesor as presets change (e.g., by actuating the actuation portion 1104 orrotating the rotation portion 1106 counterclockwise). When the fan speedis set to full, the last segment of the status indicator 1103 may beilluminated, or the entire status indicator 1103 may be illuminated, asshown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 20 shows a front view of the remote control device 1102 when thestatus indicator 1103 is illuminated to provide feedback (e.g., advancedfeedback) that indicates different shade positions for a motorizedwindow treatment. In response to an actuation of the actuation portion1104 or a rotation of the rotation portion 1106, the remote controldevice 1102 may raise or lower a shade position for a motorized windowtreatment. The remote control device 1102 may illuminate a portion ofthe status indicator 1103 (e.g., from the top of the remote controldevice 1102) to indicate the shade position. As shown in FIG. 20, thefully open position may be indicated by unilluminating the statusindicator 1103. As the shade position is lowered, the status indicator1103 may be illuminated to indicate the position of the shade.

As shown in FIG. 20, when the remote control device 1102 is manipulateto lower the shade position of the motorized window treatment (e.g., viaa rotation of the rotation portion 1106), the remote control device 1102may cause end points 1105A, 1105B of the illuminated portion 1105 tomove (e.g., simultaneously) in respective counterclockwise and clockwisedirections such that the length of the illuminated portion 1105 isextended to indicate that the shade position is being lowered.Similarly, when the remote control device 1102 is manipulated to raisethe shade position of the motorized window treatment (e.g., via arotation of the rotation portion 1106), the remote control device 1102may cause end points 1105A, 1105B of the illuminated portion 1105 tomove (e.g., simultaneously) in respective clockwise and counterclockwisedirections such that the length of the illuminated portion 1105 isshortened to indicate that the shade position is being raised.

The illuminated portion 1105 may increase and decrease in size graduallyor step between predefined segments that indicate a given shadeposition. For example, the status indicator 1103 may step betweenilluminated segments to indicate that the shade position of a motorizedwindow treatment is approximately 30% closed, approximately 60% closed,and approximately 90% closed, though the status indicator may beilluminated at any number of steps having a difference that isequivalent or inequivalent. When the shade position is fully closed, theend points 1105A, 1105B may meet at the bottom of the status indicator1103, such that the status indicator 1103 is fully illuminated. Theamount and/or speed of movement at end points 1105A, 1105B may be thesame or may be different. The illuminated portion 1105 may be centeredaround a vertical axis of the remote control device 1102 when the remotecontrol device 1102 is installed. As such, the illuminated portion 1105may provide multiple shade position indications (e.g., on both the lefthalf and the right half of the status indicator 1103). Using such amechanism, the likelihood of a user's hand obstructing the feedbackindication may be reduced.

In the example shown in FIG. 20, when the remote control device 1102 isactuated (e.g., via the actuation portion 1104), the status indicator1103 may be illuminated to quickly increase the length of theilluminated portion 1105 (e.g., from both end points 1105A, 1105B) tocorrespond to a last-known shade position. The remote control device1102 may be configured to store the last-known shade position.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart depicting an example method 2100 for determiningthe type of feedback to be provided on a status indicator of a remotecontrol. The method 2100 may be performed at one or more devices in theload control system during an association procedure for associating theremote control device with another device. For example, the method 2100,or portions thereof, may be performed at a remote control device,another controller device, a hub device, and/or another computingdevice.

As shown in FIG. 21, the method 2100 may begin at 2102. At 2102, anassociation message may be received. The association message maycomprise information about devices in the system, such as associationinformation that indicates the address and/or device type of the deviceor devices being associated with the remote control device. Theaddresses and device types in the association message may be stored inmemory, at 2104, for associating the remote control device with thedevice or devices indicated in the association message. At 2106, adetermination may be made as to whether a hub device is assigned to theremote control device. The determination at 2106 may be made based onthe association information stored in memory. If a hub device isassigned to the remote control device, advanced feedback may beimplemented at 2108 for the status indicator of the remote controldevice to indicate the status of one or more electrical loads or loadcontrol devices. The hub device may give the remote control deviceaccess to the status of the electrical loads or load control devices.

At 2110, a determination may be made as to whether one load controldevice is assigned to the remote control device for being controlled bythe remote control device. The determination at 2110 may be made basedon the association information stored in memory. If one load controldevice is assigned to the remote control device, advanced feedback maybe implemented at 2108 for the status indicator of the remote controldevice to indicate the status of the load control device or theelectrical load controlled thereby. The status of a single load controldevice may be more easily indicated to a user than multiple load controldevices. If multiple load control devices are assigned to the remotecontrol device for being controlled thereby and the remote controldevice is not assigned to a hub device, simple feedback may beimplemented at 2112 for the status indicator of the remote controldevice to indicate responses to user interface events on the remotecontrol device.

The feedback type may be configured, at 2114, based on the type ofdevice or devices (e.g., lighting devices, temperature control devices,motorized window treatments, fans, audio devices, etc.) being controlledby the remote control device. Different device types may correspond todifferent types of simple feedback or advanced feedback, as there may bemultiple types of simple feedback and/or multiple types of advancedfeedback that may be provided by the status indicator on the remotecontrol device. For example, the feedback type for lighting devices maybe different than the feedback type for motorized window treatments orceiling fans. Different types of devices may use the same feedbacktypes, while others may not. For example, the intensity level oflighting devices and the intensity level of the volume for an audiodevice may be indicated using the same feedback type. The feedback typemay be configured based on the device type or types indicated in theassociation information stored in memory. At 2116, the method 2100 mayend.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart depicting an example method 2200 for determiningthe type of feedback to provide on a status indicator of a remotecontrol device. The method 2200 may be performed on demand at one ormore devices in the load control system to obtain feedback informationat any time during operation of the remote control device. For example,the method 2200, or portions thereof, may be performed at a remotecontrol device, another controller device, a hub device, and/or anothercomputing device.

As shown in FIG. 22, the method 2200 may begin at 2202. At 2202, a queryresponse may be received for device information about devices in thesystem, such as status information associated with an electrical load ora load control device. The query response may be a status messagereceived in response to a status query message for status information ora command for controlling the electrical load via the load controldevice. The query may be transmitted in response to the remote controldevice awakening from a sleep mode, after a predefined period of time,or in response to detection of a user interface event to control anelectrical load. The query response or responses may include deviceinformation, which may indicate the number of devices associated withthe remote control device, an identifier of the associated devices, thedevice types of the associated devices, and/or the status of theassociated devices. The query response may be received from a hubdevice, a load control device, or another device in the load controlsystem.

At 2204, a determination may be made as to whether a hub device isassigned to the remote control device. The determination at 2106 may bemade based on the association information stored in memory and/or otherdevice information in the query responses received at 2202. If a hubdevice is assigned to the remote control device, advanced feedback maybe implemented at 2206 for the status indicator of the remote controldevice to indicate the status of one or more electrical loads or loadcontrol devices. The hub device may give the remote control deviceaccess to the status of the electrical loads or load control devices.

At 2208, a determination may be made as to whether the status of eachload or load control device being controlled by a remote control deviceis the same. For example, a determination may be made as to whether eachlighting load is being controlled at the same intensity level. Thedetermination at 2208 may be made based on the query response receivedat 2202. If the status of each device is the same, the remote controldevice may implement advanced feedback to indicate the status of theelectrical loads or load control devices. If the status of each load orload control device being controlled by the remote control device isdetermined, at 2208, to be different, simple feedback may be implementedat 2210 for the status indicator of the remote control device toindicate responses to user interface events on the remote controldevice.

At 2212, the feedback type may be configured based on the type of deviceor devices (e.g., lighting devices, temperature control devices,motorized window treatments, fans, audio devices, etc.) being controlledby the remote control device. Different device types may correspond todifferent types of simple feedback or advanced feedback, as there may bemultiple types of simple feedback and/or multiple types of advancedfeedback that may be provided by the status indicator on the remotecontrol device. For example, the feedback type for lighting devices maybe different than the feedback type for motorized window treatments orceiling fans. Different types of devices may use the same feedbacktypes, while others may not. For example, the intensity level oflighting devices and the intensity level of the volume for an audiodevice may be indicated using the same feedback type. The feedback typemay be configured based on the device type or types indicated in theassociation information stored in memory or based on other deviceinformation in the query responses received at 2202. At 2214, the method2200 may end.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating an example load control device,e.g., a load control device 2300, as described herein. The load controldevice 2300 may be a dimmer switch, an electronic switch, a lightingdevice (e.g., a light bulb, an electronic ballast for lamps, an LEDdriver for LED light sources, etc.), an AC plug-in load control devicefor controlling a plugged electrical load, a controllable electricalreceptacle, a temperature control device (e.g., a thermostat), a motordrive unit for a motorized window treatment, a motor drive unit for afan (e.g., ceiling fan), an audio device (e.g., a controllable speakeror playback device), an appliance, a security camera device, or otherload control device. The load control device 2300 may include acommunications circuit 2302. The communications circuit 2302 may includea receiver, an RF transceiver, or other communications module capable ofperforming wired and/or wireless communications via communications link2310. The communications circuit 2302 may be in communication with acontrol circuit 2304. The control circuit 2304 may include one or moregeneral purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventionalprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors,integrated circuits, a programmable logic device (PLD), applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like. The control circuit2304 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control,input/output processing, or any other functionality that enables theload control device 2300 to perform as described herein.

The control circuit 2304 may store information in and/or retrieveinformation from the memory 2306. For example, the memory 2306 maymaintain a registry of associated control devices and/or controlconfiguration instructions. The memory 2306 may include a non-removablememory and/or a removable memory. The load control circuit 2308 mayreceive instructions from the control circuit 2304 and may control theelectrical load 2316 based on the received instructions. The loadcontrol circuit 2308 may send status feedback to the control circuit2304 regarding the status of the electrical load 2316. The load controlcircuit 2308 may receive power via the hot connection 2312 and theneutral connection 2314 and may provide an amount of power to theelectrical load 2316. The electrical load 2316 may include any type ofelectrical load.

The control circuit 2304 may be in communication with an actuator 2318(e.g., one or more buttons) that may be actuated by a user tocommunicate user selections to the control circuit 2304. For example,the actuator 2318 may be actuated to put the control circuit 2304 in anassociation mode and/or communicate association messages from the loadcontrol device 2300.

FIG. 24 is a block diagram illustrating an example controller device2400 as described herein. The controller device 2400 may be a remotecontrol device, an occupancy sensor, a daylight sensor, a window sensor,a temperature sensor, and/or the like. The controller device 2400 mayinclude a control circuit 2402 for controlling the functionality of thecontroller device 2400. The control circuit 2402 may include one or moregeneral purpose processors, special purpose processors, conventionalprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), microprocessors,integrated circuits, a programmable logic device (PLD), applicationspecific integrated circuits (ASICs), or the like. The control circuit2402 may perform signal coding, data processing, power control,input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables thecontroller device 2400 to perform as described herein.

The control circuit 2402 may store information in and/or retrieveinformation from the memory 2404. The memory 2404 may include anon-removable memory and/or a removable memory, as described herein.

The controller device 2400 may include one or more light sources, suchas one or more LEDs 2412, for providing feedback to a user. The one ormore LEDs 2412 may be included in a status indicator and may becontrolled by the control circuit 2402. The control circuit 2402 maycontrol the LEDs 2412 as described herein to provide feedback to theuser.

The controller device 2400 may include a communications circuit 2408 fortransmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit2408 may transmit and/or receive information via wired and/or wirelesscommunications. The communications circuit 2408 may include atransmitter, an RF transceiver, or other circuit capable of performingwired and/or wireless communications. The communications circuit 2408may be in communication with control circuit 2402 for transmittingand/or receiving information.

The control circuit 2402 may also be in communication with an inputcircuit 2406. The input circuit 2406 may include an actuator (e.g., oneor more buttons), a rotating or sliding portion, or a sensor circuit(e.g., an occupancy sensor circuit, a daylight sensor circuit, or atemperature sensor circuit) for receiving input that may be sent to adevice for controlling an electrical load. The input circuit 2406 mayalso comprise a proximity sensing circuit for sensing an occupant in thevicinity of the controller device 2400. For example, the controllerdevice 2402 may receive input from the input circuit 2406 to put thecontrol circuit 2402 in an association mode and/or communicateassociation messages from the controller device 2400. The controlcircuit 2402 may receive information from the input circuit 2406 (e.g.an indication that a button has been actuated, a rotation portion hasbeen rotated, or information has been sensed) and/or an indication of aproximity sensing event. The input circuit 2406 may be actuated as anon/off event. Each of the modules within the controller device 2400 maybe powered by a power source 2410.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram illustrating an example network device 2500as described herein. The network device 2500 may include the networkdevice 190, for example. The network device 2500 may include a controlcircuit 2502 for controlling the functionality of the network device2500. The control circuit 2502 may include one or more general purposeprocessors, special purpose processors, conventional processors, digitalsignal processors (DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, aprogrammable logic device (PLD), application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), or the like. The control circuit 2502 may performsignal coding, data processing, power control, input/output processing,or any other functionality that enables the network device 2500 toperform as described herein. The control circuit 2502 may storeinformation in and/or retrieve information from the memory 2504. Thememory 2504 may include a non-removable memory and/or a removablememory. The non-removable memory may include random-access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk, or any other type of non-removablememory storage. The removable memory may include a subscriber identitymodule (SIM) card, a memory stick, a memory card, or any other type ofremovable memory.

The network device 2500 may include a communications circuit 2508 fortransmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit2508 may perform wireless and/or wired communications. Thecommunications circuit 2508 may include an RF transceiver or othercircuit capable of performing wireless communications via an antenna.Communications circuit 2508 may be in communication with control circuit2502 for transmitting and/or receiving information.

The control circuit 2502 may also be in communication with a display2506 for providing information to a user. The control circuit 2502and/or the display 2506 may generate GUIs for being displayed on thenetwork device 2500. The display 2506 and the control circuit 2502 maybe in two-way communication, as the display 2506 may include a touchscreen module capable of receiving information from a user and providingsuch information to the control circuit 2502. The network device mayalso include an actuator 2512 (e.g., one or more buttons) that may beactuated by a user to communicate user selections to the control circuit2502.

Each of the modules within the network device 2500 may be powered by apower source 2510. The power source 2510 may include an AC power supplyor DC power supply, for example. The power source 2510 may generate asupply voltage Vcc for powering the modules within the network device2500.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram illustrating an example hub device 2600 asdescribed herein. The hub device 2600 may include a control circuit 2602for controlling the functionality of the hub device 2600. The controlcircuit 2602 may include one or more general purpose processors, specialpurpose processors, conventional processors, digital signal processors(DSPs), microprocessors, integrated circuits, a programmable logicdevice (PLD), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or thelike. The control circuit 2602 may perform signal coding, dataprocessing, power control, input/output processing, or any otherfunctionality that enables the hub device 2600 to perform as describedherein. The control circuit 2602 may store information in and/orretrieve information from the memory 2604. The memory 2604 may include anon-removable memory and/or a removable memory. The non-removable memorymay include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), a harddisk, or any other type of non-removable memory storage. The removablememory may include a subscriber identity module (SIM) card, a memorystick, a memory card, or any other type of removable memory.

The hub device 2600 may include a communications circuit 2608 fortransmitting and/or receiving information. The communications circuit2608 may perform wireless and/or wired communications. The hub device2600 may also, or alternatively, include a communications circuit 2612for transmitting and/or receiving information. The communicationscircuit 2612 may perform wireless and/or wired communications.Communications circuits 2608 and 2612 may be in communication withcontrol circuit 2602. The communications circuits 2608 and 2612 mayinclude RF transceivers or other communications modules capable ofperforming wireless communications via an antenna. The communicationscircuit 2608 and communications circuit 2612 may be capable ofperforming communications via the same communication channels ordifferent communication channels. For example, the communicationscircuit 2608 may be capable of communicating (e.g., with a networkdevice, over a network, etc.) via a wireless communication channel(e.g., BLUETOOTH®, near field communication (NFC), WI-FI®, WIMAX®,cellular, etc.) and the communications circuit 2612 may be capable ofcommunicating (e.g., with control devices and/or other devices in theload control system) via another wireless communication channel (e.g.,WI-FI® or a proprietary communication channel, such as CLEAR CONNECT™).

The control circuit 2602 may be in communication with an LED indicator2614 for providing indications to a user. The control circuit 2602 maybe in communication with an actuator 2606 (e.g., one or more buttons)that may be actuated by a user to communicate user selections to thecontrol circuit 2602. For example, the actuator 2606 may be actuated toput the control circuit 2602 in an association mode and/or communicateassociation messages from the hub device 2600.

Each of the modules within the hub device 2600 may be powered by a powersource 2610. The power source 2610 may include an AC power supply or DCpower supply, for example. The power source 2610 may generate a supplyvoltage Vcc for powering the modules within the hub device 2600.

Although features and elements are described herein in particularcombinations, each feature or element can be used alone or in anycombination with the other features and elements. For example, thefunctionality described herein may be described as being performed by acontrol device, such as a remote control device or a lighting device,but may be similarly performed by a hub device or a network device. Themethods described herein may be implemented in a computer program,software, or firmware incorporated in a computer-readable medium forexecution by a computer or processor. Examples of computer-readablemedia include electronic signals (transmitted over wired or wirelessconnections) and computer-readable storage media. Examples ofcomputer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to, a readonly memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), removable disks, andoptical media such as CD-ROM disks, and digital versatile disks (DVDs).

What is claimed is:
 1. A control device comprising: a status indicatorconfigured to be illuminated by a plurality of light sources; and acontrol circuit configured to: receive device information regarding oneor more devices that are responsive to the control device, wherein thedevice information comprises at least one of an address or a device typeof each of the one or more devices that are responsive to the controldevice; select, based on the device information, a feedback type of aplurality of feedback types to be provided via the status indicator,wherein the plurality of feedback types comprise at least one simplefeedback type that is provided in response to a user interface event onthe control device and at least one advanced feedback type provided inresponse to a level associated with the one or more devices that areresponsive to the control device; and provide feedback according to theselected feedback type via the status indicator by illumination of atleast one light source of the plurality of light sources, wherein thecontrol circuit is configured to provide a different illuminationconfiguration for the plurality of light sources for different feedbacktypes.
 2. The control device of claim 1, wherein the one or more devicescomprise multiple load control devices and each of the multiple loadcontrol devices is associated with a respective level, wherein thecontrol circuit is configured to: determine whether the respectivelevels associated with the multiple load control devices are in sync;select the at least one advanced feedback type to be provided via thestatus indicator when the respective levels associated with the multipleload control devices are in sync; and select the at least one simplefeedback type to be provided via the status indicator when therespective levels associated with the multiple load control devices areout of sync.
 3. The control device of claim 1, wherein the deviceinformation comprises association information for associating the one ormore devices with the control device, wherein the associationinformation comprises the at least one of the address or the device typeof each of the one or more devices.
 4. The control device of claim 1,wherein the control circuit is further configured to: determine, basedon the device information, whether a hub device is associated with thecontrol device; and select one of the at least one simple feedback typeor the at least one advanced feedback type to be provided via the statusindicator based on whether the hub device is associated with the controldevice.
 5. The control device of claim 4, wherein the control circuit isconfigured to select the at least one simple feedback type to beprovided via the status indicator when the hub device is unassociatedwith the control device, and wherein the control circuit is configuredto select the at least one advanced feedback type to be provided via thestatus indicator when the hub device is associated with the controldevice.
 6. The control device of claim 1, wherein the control circuit isconfigured to determine, based on the device information, a number ofdevices associated with the control device, wherein the control circuitis configured to select the at least one simple feedback type to beprovided via the status indicator when more than one device isassociated with the control device, and wherein the control circuit isconfigured to select the at least one advanced feedback type to beprovided via the status indicator when one device is associated with thecontrol device.
 7. The control device of claim 1, wherein the at leastone simple feedback type comprises a plurality of types of simplefeedback, wherein the at least one advanced feedback type comprises aplurality of types of advanced feedback, and wherein the control circuitis further configured to select, based on the device type of each of theone or more devices that are responsive to the control device in thedevice information, the feedback type from the plurality of types ofsimple feedback or the plurality of types of advanced feedback thatcorresponds to each of the one or more devices that are responsive tothe control device in the device information.
 8. The control device ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more devices comprise one or more loadcontrol devices, and the control device further comprises a userinterface and a communications circuit, and wherein the control circuitis further configured to: detect the user interface event via the userinterface; and send, via the communications circuit, a commandconfigured to control one or more electrical loads via the one or moreload control devices in response to the user interface event.
 9. Thecontrol device of claim 8, wherein the control circuit is furtherconfigured to: receive, via the communications circuit, at least onestatus message that indicates an updated level associated with the oneor more load control devices; and update the level indicated via thestatus indicator using the advanced feedback type based on the updatedlevel associated with the one or more load control devices.
 10. Thecontrol device of claim 9, wherein the control circuit is furtherconfigured to: awaken from a sleep state; send, via the communicationscircuit, a status query message to a hub device or the one or more loadcontrol devices; and receive, via the communications circuit, the atleast one status message in response to the status query message. 11.The control device of claim 10, wherein the control circuit isconfigured to: determine whether the command is configured forperforming absolute control of multiple load control devices or forperforming relative control of a single load control device; select theat least one advanced feedback type to be provided via the statusindicator when the command is configured for performing absolutecontrol; and select the at least one simple feedback type to be providedvia the status indicator when the command is configured for performingrelative control.
 12. The control device of claim 1, wherein the one ormore devices comprise at least one of a lighting device, a temperaturecontrol device, a motorized window treatment, a fan, or an audio device,and wherein the level comprises at least one of a lighting intensitylevel for the lighting device, a shade level of the motorized windowtreatment, or a volume level of the audio device.
 13. The control deviceof claim 12, wherein the control circuit is configured to increase anumber of the plurality of light sources that are illuminated toindicate an increase in the lighting intensity level for the lightingdevice, a raising of the shade level of the motorized window treatment,or an increase in the volume level of the audio device, and wherein thecontrol circuit is configured to decrease a number of the plurality oflight sources that are illuminated to indicate a decrease in thelighting intensity level for the lighting device, a lowering of theshade level of the motorized window treatment, or a decrease in thevolume level of the audio device.
 14. The control device of claim 12,wherein the control circuit is configured to increase an intensity of atleast one of the plurality of light sources that are illuminated toindicate an increase in the lighting intensity level for the lightingdevice, a raising of the shade level of the motorized window treatment,or an increase in the volume level of the audio device, and wherein thecontrol circuit is configured to decrease an intensity of at least oneof the plurality of light sources that are illuminated to indicate adecrease in the lighting intensity level for the lighting device, alowering of the shade level of the motorized window treatment, or anincrease in the volume level of the audio device.
 15. The control deviceof claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to receive a userselection of the feedback type of the plurality of feedback types to beprovided via the status indicator for a corresponding scenario, andwherein the feedback type is selected based on the user selection.
 16. Amethod for providing feedback, via a status indicator on a controldevice, the status indicator configured to be illuminated by a pluralityof light sources, the method comprising: receiving device informationregarding one or more devices that are responsive to the control device,wherein the device information comprises at least one of an address or adevice type of each of the one or more devices; selecting, based on thedevice information, a feedback type of a plurality of feedback types tobe provided via the status indicator, wherein the plurality of feedbacktypes comprise at least one simple feedback type that is provided inresponse to a user interface event on the control device and at leastone advanced feedback type provided in response to a level associatedwith the one or more devices; and providing the feedback according tothe selected feedback type via the status indicator by illuminating atleast one light source of the plurality of light sources, wherein adifferent illumination configuration of the plurality of light sourcesis provided for different feedback types.
 17. The method of claim 16,wherein the one or more devices include multiple load control devicesand each of the multiple load control devices is associated with arespective level, the method further comprising: determining whether therespective levels associated with the multiple load control devices arein sync, wherein the at least one advanced feedback type is selected tobe provided via the status indicator when the respective levelsassociated with the multiple load control devices are in sync, andwherein the at least one simple feedback type is selected to be providedvia the status indicator when the respective levels of the multiple loadcontrol devices are out of sync.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein thedevice information comprises association information for associating theone or more devices with the control device, wherein the associationinformation comprises the at least one of the address or the device typeof each of the one or more devices.
 19. The method of claim 16, themethod further comprising: determining, based on the device information,whether a hub device is associated with the control device; wherein theat least one simple feedback type is selected to be provided via thestatus indicator when the hub device is unassociated with the controldevice, and wherein the at least one advanced feedback type is selectedto be provided via the status indicator when the hub device isassociated with the control device.
 20. The method of claim 16, furthercomprising: determining, based on the device information, a number ofdevices associated with the control device, wherein the at least onesimple feedback type is selected to be provided via the status indicatorwhen more than one device is associated with the control device, andwherein the at least one advanced feedback type is selected to beprovided via the status indicator when one device is associated with thecontrol device.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least onesimple feedback type comprises a plurality of types of simple feedback,wherein the at least one advanced feedback type comprises a plurality oftypes of advanced feedback, and wherein the feedback type is selectedfrom the plurality of types of simple feedback or the plurality of typesof advanced feedback based on the device type corresponding to eachdevice in the device information.
 22. The method of claim 16, whereinthe one or more devices comprise one or more load control devices, andthe method further comprises: detecting a user interface event on thecontrol device; and sending a command configured to control one or moreelectrical loads via the one or more load control devices in response tothe user interface event.
 23. The method of claim 22, the method furthercomprising: awakening from a sleep state; sending a status query messageto a hub device or the one or more load control devices; receiving atleast one status message that indicates an updated status associatedwith the one or more load control devices in response to the statusquery message; and updating the feedback provided via the statusindicator based on the updated status associated with the one or moreload control devices.
 24. The method of claim 23, the method furthercomprising: determining whether the command is configured for performingabsolute control of multiple load control devices or for performingrelative control of a single load control device, wherein the at leastone advanced feedback type is selected to be provided via the statusindicator when the command is configured for performing absolutecontrol, and wherein the at least one simple feedback type is selectedto be provided via the status indicator when the command is configuredfor performing relative control.
 25. The method of claim 16, wherein thelevel is indicated by increasing a number of the plurality of lightsources that are illuminated.
 26. The method of claim 16, wherein thelevel is indicated by increasing an intensity of at least one of theplurality of light sources that are illuminated.
 27. The method of claim16, further comprising: receiving a user selection of the feedback typeof the plurality of feedback types to be provided via the statusindicator for a corresponding scenario, and wherein the feedback type isselected based on the user selection.